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Adhesion to a polymeric biomaterial affects the antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus epidermidis
C R Arciola1, M E Donati, L Montanaro
1Research Laboratory on Biocompatibility of Implant Materials, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
The antibiotic-resistance both of adherent bacteria to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and of bacteria which, although exposed to the material, had not undergone adhesion, was measured as bacterial growth inhibition area onto a plate antibiogram, according to Kirby-Bauer and using a dedicated image analyzer system. The adhesion onto PMMA induces a marked (about 30%) increase in resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics (cefamandole, cefazolin, imipenem and ampicillin) and a lower (about 15%) but significant increase to the macrolide erythromycin, to two aminoglycosides (amikacin, netilmicin) and to vancomycin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Insights
Bacteria adhering to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) showed increased antibiotic resistance, particularly to beta-lactam antibiotics. This adhesion significantly boosts bacterial defense mechanisms against common antimicrobial drugs.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is widely used in medical devices.
- Bacterial adhesion to biomaterials can lead to implant-associated infections.
- Understanding antibiotic resistance in adherent bacteria is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the change in antibiotic resistance of bacteria adhering to PMMA.
- To compare resistance levels between adherent and non-adherent bacteria exposed to PMMA.
- To assess the impact of PMMA adhesion on resistance to various antibiotic classes.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial growth inhibition areas were measured using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion.
- Antibiotic resistance was assessed for both adherent and non-adherent bacteria.
- A dedicated image analyzer system was employed for precise measurement.
Main Results:
- Adhesion to PMMA significantly increased resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics by approximately 30%.
- A notable, though smaller (around 15%), increase in resistance was observed for erythromycin, aminoglycosides, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
- Bacteria exposed to PMMA but not adhering showed different resistance patterns.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial adhesion to PMMA enhances resistance to a broad spectrum of antibiotics.
- This finding has implications for managing infections associated with PMMA-containing medical devices.
- Further research into mechanisms of resistance induced by biomaterial contact is warranted.