In vitro study of bacterial adherence to processed dura mater, processed pericardium, pericardium in saline, and human sclera.
OBJECTIVE
To study bacterial adherence to processed dura mater, processed pericardium, pericardium in saline, and human sclera and the difference in bacterial adherence to these tissues.


METHODS
Research Laboratory, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.


METHODS
Specimens of processed dura mater, processed human pericardium, pericardium in saline, and human sclera (N = 32) were exposed to Staphylococcus epidermidis (concentration 3 x 10(8)) for 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes, washed for 5 seconds, fixed, and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Each bacterial count represents an average of 50 random SEM fields at x5,000 magnification. After SEM, selected specimens were processed for transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
The mean number of bacteria/mm(2) +/- SD adhering to the tissues at 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes, respectively, were dura mater, 107,833 +/- 65,410, 104,500 +/- 13,471, 96,067 +/- 113,884, and 204,267 +/- 153,697; processed pericardium, 131,550 +/- 86,194, 100,900 +/- 20,031, 144,683 +/- 51,730, and 176,933 +/- 111,818; pericardium in saline, 7,925 +/- 1,520, 33,933 +/- 32,085, 1,217 +/- 1,287, and 21,550 +/- 16,436; and human sclera, 4,850 +/- 2,121, 23,700 +/- 17,961, 5,150 +/- 1,273, and 8,175 +/- 8,450. A 2-way analysis of variance showed significant differences among groups (P =.001) and no significant difference in sample time (P =.929).


CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial adherence to processed dura mater, processed pericardium, pericardium in saline, and human sclera should be considered when these materials are used clinically during ophthalmic surgery and other surgical specialties. Adequate broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage is needed to prevent infection and subsequent complications in patients.
John
Thomas
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University at Chicago, Maywood, USA. cornea999@aol.com
John
Olivia C
OC
Carey
Roberta B
RB
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010496:Pericardium / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012590:Sclera / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure