Resistance to infection of five different materials in a rat body wall model.
BACKGROUND
Infection occurs after approximately 1% of hernia repair procedures. The resistance to infection of the repair materials is therefore an important consideration. We evaluated the infection resistance of five different materials in a rat model of body wall repair, two of which, urinary bladder matrix (UBM-ECM) and Revive, were not previously evaluated in a controlled model of infection.


METHODS
An inoculum of 1 × 10(8) colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus was delivered to the wound site following implantation of an autograft, UBM-ECM, Proceed, Prolene, or Revive. Infection was monitored by white blood cell counts, body temperature, bacterial culture, and histomorphologic analysis of the implant site.


RESULTS
Infection was shown in all groups through increased white blood cell count and body temperature. Animals with UBM-ECM returned to pre-surgery body temperature before all other groups. Substantial bacterial clearance was found in the autograft, UBM-ECM, and Prolene. Histomorphologic analysis showed evidence for persistent bacterial infection in Prolene, Proceed, and Revive 28 d after implantation, whereas the autograft and UBM-ECM appeared free of infection. The autograft showed a pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction at 28 d while UBM-ECM was similar to uninfected controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Superior infection resistance was shown by UBM-ECM compared with the other materials, which were substantially equivalent. Histomorphologic analysis clearly showed an increased ability to resist persistent bacterial infection for UBM-ECM. Our results suggest UBM-ECM may be useful as a repair material in areas of high risk for infection.
Medberry
Christopher J
CJ
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA.
Tottey
Stephen
S
Jiang
Hongbin
H
Johnson
Scott A
SA
Badylak
Stephen F
SF
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D002482:Cellulose; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D023421:Models, Animal; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011140:Polyurethanes; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D001743:Urinary Bladder; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011140:Polyurethanes; C005506:polycarbonate; D002482:Cellulose