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Bacterial adherence to silver nitrate coated poly-L-lactic acid urological stents in vitro
M Multanen1, M Talja, S Hallanvuo
1Department of Surgery, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to see whether it is possible to prevent bacterial adherence to bioabsorbable self-reinforced L-lactic acid polymer (SR-PLLA) urological stents. The SR-PLLA stents were coated with silver nitrate blended epsilon-caprolactone/L-lactide copolymer. The adherence of five bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis and two strains of Escherichia coli) to coated and non-coated SR-PLLA wires were tested. It was found that silver nitrate coating prevented the adherence of bacteria (except E. faecalis) to SR-PLLA stents. The preventive effect correlated with the silver nitrate concentration. It was also found that silver nitrate coating reduced the amount of bacteria in ambient urine. In conclusion, silver nitrate coating may reduce stent-associated bacterial infections by preventing the adherence of bacteria. Further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in clinical practice.