title: Reduced adherence of Candida to silane-treated silicone rubber.
abstract: Silicone rubber is widely used in the construction of medical devices that can provide an essential role in the treatment of human illness. However, subsequent microbial colonization of silicone rubber can result in clinical infection or device failure. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a novel silane-treated silicone rubber in inhibiting microbial adherence and material penetration. Test material was prepared by a combination of argon plasma discharge treatment and fluorinated silane coupling. Chemicophysical changes were then confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact-angle measurement, and atomic force microscopy. Two separate adherence assays and a material penetration assay assessed the performance of the new material against four strains of Candida species. Results showed a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of Candida albicans GDH 2346 adherence to silane-treated silicone compared with untreated controls. This reduction was still evident after the incorporation of saliva into the assay. Adherence inhibition also occurred with Candida tropicalis MMU and Candida krusei NCYC, although this was assay dependent. Reduced penetration of silane-treated silicone by Candida was evident when compared to untreated controls, plaster-processed silicone, and acrylic-processed silicone. To summarize, a novel silicone rubber material is described that inhibits both candidal adherence and material penetration. The clinical benefit and performance of this material remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Heath and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, UK.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: M G J
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coulthwaite
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verran
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stickler
authors.forename: M A O
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D001128:Argon / Q000737:chemistry; D002175:Candida / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D008422:Materials Testing; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D012821:Silanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry; D013045:Species Specificity; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D012821:Silanes; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D012828:Silicones; D001128:Argon