title: A unique in vivo approach for investigating antimicrobial materials utilizing fistulated animals.
abstract: Unique in vivo tests were conducted through the use of a fistulated ruminant, providing an ideal environment with a diverse and vibrant microbial community. Utilizing such a procedure can be especially invaluable for investigating the performance of antimicrobial materials related to human and animal related infections. In this pilot study, it is shown that the rumen of a fistulated animal provides an excellent live laboratory for assessing the properties of antimicrobial materials. We investigate microbial colonization onto model nanocomposites based on silver (Ag) nanoparticles at different concentrations into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). With implantable devices posing a major risk for hospital-acquired infections, the present study provides a viable solution to understand microbial colonization with the potential to reduce the incidence of infection through the introduction of Ag nanoparticles at the optimum concentrations. In vitro measurements were also conducted to show the validity of the approach. An optimal loading of 0.25 wt% Ag is found to show the greatest antimicrobial activity and observed through the in vivo tests to reduce the microbial diversity colonizing the surface.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, 3000.
authors.forename: Kyle J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Berean
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia, 3083.
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Adetutu
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, 3000.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhen Ou
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical &Computer Engineering, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 22254.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nour
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, 3000.
authors.forename: Emily P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture, Armidale, Australia, 2350.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paull
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture, Armidale, Australia, 2350.
authors.forename: Jess
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mcleod
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, 3000.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramanathan
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, 3000.
authors.forename: Vipul
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, 3000.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Latham
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture, St Lucia, Australia, 4067.
authors.forename: Greg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Bishop-Hurley
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture, St Lucia, Australia, 4067.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McSweeney
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia, 3083.
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, 3000.
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalantar-Zadeh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D044822:Biodiversity; D002384:Catalysis; D002404:Catheterization; D005453:Fluorescence; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry; D012417:Rumen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D012834:Silver