Microbial biofilms on facial prostheses.
The composition of microbial biofilms on silicone rubber facial prostheses was investigated and compared with the microbial flora on healthy and prosthesis-covered skin. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of mixed bacterial and yeast biofilms on and deterioration of the surface of the prostheses. Microbial culturing confirmed the presence of yeasts and bacteria. Microbial colonization was significantly increased on prosthesis-covered skin compared to healthy skin. Candida spp. were exclusively isolated from prosthesis-covered skin and from prostheses. Biofilms from prostheses showed the least diverse band-profile in denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) whereas prosthesis-covered skin showed the most diverse band-profile. Bacterial diversity exceeded yeast diversity in all samples. It is concluded that occlusion of the skin by prostheses creates a favorable niche for opportunistic pathogens such as Candida spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Biofilms on healthy skin, skin underneath the prosthesis and on the prosthesis had a comparable composition, but the numbers present differed according to the microorganism.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Kolff Institute, University Medical Center Groningen and the University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Nina
N
Ariani
Arjan
A
Vissink
Robert P
RP
van Oort
Lindawati
L
Kusdhany
Ariadna
A
Djais
Tri Budi W
TB
Rahardjo
Henny C
HC
van der Mei
Bastiaan P
BP
Krom
D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002175:Candida / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005145:Face / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D012826:Silicone Elastomers