title: Bacterial adhesion to medical polymers--use of radiation techniques for the prevention of materials-associated infections.
abstract: The basic principles of the adhesion of bacteria to polymer surfaces are discussed, as the first important step in the pathogenesis of foreign-body infections.  Strategies for the prevention of foreign-body infections by polymer modification with ionizing radiation are presented.  These include the modification of polymer surfaces by radiation or glow discharge techniques to obtain antiadhesive or antimicrobial surfaces, as well as the fixation or incorporation of antibiotic drugs to or into the polymer.
authors.affiliation: Hygiene-Institute, University of Cologne, Köln, FRG.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jansen
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D011108:Polymers / Q000528:radiation effects*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing