title: The inhibition of neutrophil antibacterial activity by ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene particles.
abstract: Following infection, bacterial killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) is the main host defense against bacteria. Our hypothesis is that particles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP) may impair local neutrophil function and consequently reduce neutrophil bacterial killing. To determine how the in vitro phagocytic-bactericidal activity of neutrophils was affected by exposure to wear particles, tests were run comparing the effects of different particle composition, and different concentrations and sizes of UHMWP particles. There was a significant correlation between the number of particles and the decrease in neutrophil bactericidal activity (p<0.01), and the greatest effect was obtained with a concentration of 10(7) UHMWP/ml. There was a significant decrease in neutrophil bactericidal activity by incubation with particles of 0.1-5 microm (p<0.01), but not with larger size. The results suggest that neutrophil functional defects triggered by the presence of UHMWP particles may potentially contribute to the susceptibility of loose implants to bacterial infections.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. louis.bernard@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vaudaux
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merle
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Huggler
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lew
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hoffmeyer
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D010316:Particle Size; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene