title: Biofilm formation in cochlear implants with cochlear drug delivery channels in an in vitro model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cochlear implant (CI) drug delivery (DD) may improve electrophysiological outcomes, but it may also increase the risk of suppurative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of bacterial biofilms on DD ports when subjected to varying types of penetration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Silastic models were constructed to represent CIs with a DD channel, with an intact port, a widely opened port, a noncoring needle penetrating the port, and a noncoring needle removed from the port. CIs were exposed to a culture of a biofilm-forming strain of Staphylococcus aureus for 5 days. Biofilm formation was assessed with quantitative bacterial counts (after eliminating planktonic bacteria) and scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bacterial counts were significantly higher in CIs with widely fenestrated ports than all other port conditions (P = 0.0003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biofilm formation may be minimized on CIs with DD by using fine, noncoring needles and limiting the duration of port penetration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0264, USA.
authors.forename: Trey A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Loeffler
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Burne
authors.forename: Claude N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Jolly
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Antonelli
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018441:Biofilms; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009339:Needles; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents