Bacterial adherence and biofilm formation on latex and silicone T-tubes in relation to bacterial contamination of bile.
BACKGROUND
T-tube-related bacteriobilia causes infectious complications and obstruction. To prevent these, the choice of T-tube material may be of importance.


METHODS
Transected common bile ducts (CBDs) of 17 piglets were sutured over latex or silicone T-tubes, or without a T-tube.


RESULTS
After 6 weeks bacteriobilia was found in all of 12 CBDs with and in 1 of 5 CBDs without a T-tube (p < 0.05). By scanning electron microscopy (SEM) four of five latex and none of five silicone T-tubes had bacterial biofilms (p < 0.05). All tubes remained patent. Segments of T-tubes were incubated with five different bacterial strains. Sonication and SEM showed that 0.1-1.1% of 10(7) colony-forming units of inoculum adhered to T-tubes. Two to six times more bacteria adhered to latex than to silicone (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Silicone offers better long-term patency than latex. Less infectious complications occur if T-tubes are omitted.
Koivusalo
A
A
Fourth Dept. of Surgery, Helsinki University of Central Hospital, Finland.
Mäkisalo
H
H
Talja
M
M
Siitonen
A
A
Vuopio-Varkila
J
J
Ruutu
M
M
Höckerstedt
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000502:physiology; D001646:Bile / Q000382:microbiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000502:physiology; D003135:Common Bile Duct; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007840:Latex; D012828:Silicones; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine
D007840:Latex; D012828:Silicones