An in vitro bacterial surface migration assay underneath sterile barrier material commonly found in a hospital setting.
To determine what barrier material used in hospital neonatal intensive care units most effectively blocks bacterial migration.



Bacterial migration distance was compared across simple and complex solid media using Escherichia coli, an early and common neonatal gut colonizer, and Staphylococcus aureus, a common skin bacterium, across polystyrene, medical-grade silicone, hydrocolloid dressing and transparent film dressing as barrier materials on complex solid media.



Bacterial migration was significantly greater on complex versus simple solid media. Bacteria migrated farthest beneath hydrocolloid dressing and transparent film dressing, while migration underneath polystyrene and medical-grade silicone was generally comparable to no barrier.



Commonly used hydrocolloid dressing and transparent film dressing surprisingly increases bacterial migration, possibly by providing a wet capillary surface for bacteria to attach to or inducing biofilm formation. Using polystyrene or silicone to interface with the site of catheter insertion may best avoid a bacterial wicking phenomenon.
Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, KS, USA.
J D
JD
Shih
Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
L S Y
LSY
Wood
Stanford Health Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
C L
CL
Dambkowski
Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
S
S
Torres
Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
E F
EF
Chehab
Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
R
R
Venook
Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.|Division of Pediatric Surgery, Stanford Children's Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
J K
JK
Wall
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D011137:Polystyrenes; D012828:Silicones; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
D011137:Polystyrenes; D012828:Silicones