title: Inhibition of biofilm formation on ventilation tubes by surface modification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to modify the surface characteristics of a ventilation tube (VT) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating and to evaluate the effect on biofilm formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  VTs made of polyethylene were coated with PEG. Streptococcus pneumonia R6 strain was used and a crystal violet assay was carried out to measure the in vitro and in vivo biofilm formation of rats bearing VTs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the in vitro experiment, the optical density of the uncoated VT was 0.34±0.09 and the optical density of the PEG-grafted VT was 0.22±0.06 (p<0.05). In the in vivo experiment, the optical density of the uncoated VT was 0.54±0.12 and that of the PEG-grafted VT was 0.32±0.13 (p<0.05). Scanning electron microscopy showed that surface modification, roughness and hydrophilic characteristics improved and biofilm formation decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduced biofilm formation on the VT may be explained by the alteration of surface tension and roughness induced by PEG coating.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Insup
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: Sung-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chae
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D051381:Rats; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000254:growth & development*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols