Biofilm formation on silicone tympanostomy tubes with polyvinylpyrrolidone coating.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether biofilm formation on silicone tympanostomy tubes (TTs) is prevented by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating.


METHODS
In vitro microbiologic study.


METHODS
Silicone TTs with and without a PVP coating.


METHODS
The TTs were exposed to blood or phosphate-buffered saline and cultured with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus. After 4 days, antibiotics were added to kill planktonic bacteria. Biofilm formation was assessed by quantitative bacterial counts and scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Human blood enhanced S aureus biofilm formation on TTs with and without PVP (P < .001). Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation was similar on TTs with and without PVP coating. Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation was less on TTs with PVP coating after exposure to phosphate-buffered saline (P = .04), but this difference was not significant after blood exposure (P = .19).


CONCLUSIONS
Polyvinylpyrrolidone coating of TTs imparts resistance to P aeruginosa biofilm formation. The clinical impact of PVP on TTs may be attenuated by exposure to blood, but this will require study in clinical trials.
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610-0264, USA. Patrick.Antonelli@ent.ufl.edu
Patrick J
PJ
Antonelli
Edith M
EM
Sampson
Carolyn
C
Ojano-Dirain
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011205:Povidone; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology*; D012828:Silicones
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012828:Silicones; D011205:Povidone