Bacterial adherence and the glycocalyx and their role in musculoskeletal infection.
Bacteria produce a virulence-related polysaccharide exocellular slime (the glycocalyx), which preferentially adheres to the surfaces of biomaterials and compromised tissues. This biofilm resists antibiotic penetration and provides a degree of protection from antibodies and macrophages. Similar adhesive cell-to-substrate phenomena have been noted in natural environments and in bacterial-animal cell disease states. The adherent glycocalyx is one of the fundamental reasons for increased susceptibility to infection in the presence of biomaterials and compromised tissues and a significant factor in the persistence of such infection until the removal of the prosthetic device.
D000368:Aged; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000382:microbiology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000382:microbiology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000502:physiology*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011134:Polysaccharides