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Initial adhesion and surface growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on negatively and positively charged

B Gottenbos1, H C Van Der Mei, H J Busscher

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine
|September 7, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Positively charged biomaterials show faster initial bacterial adhesion but prevent surface growth, potentially reducing infection risks. Negatively charged surfaces exhibit slower adhesion but support exponential bacterial growth.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Biomaterial implant infections arise from bacterial adhesion and growth.
  • Surface properties of biomaterials influence bacterial interactions.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen in biomaterial-associated infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare initial adhesion and surface growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on negatively and positively charged methacrylate copolymers.
  • To evaluate the impact of surface charge on bacterial colonization of biomaterials.

Main Methods:

  • In situ study using a parallel plate flow chamber.
  • Comparison of negatively charged (PMMA/MAA) and positively charged (PMMA/TMAEMA-Cl) methacrylate copolymers.
  • Measurement of initial bacterial adhesion in phosphate-buffered saline and surface growth in nutrient broth.

Main Results:

  • Initial adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was twice as fast on positively charged copolymers compared to negatively charged ones.
  • Surface growth of bacteria was absent on positively charged copolymers.
  • Exponential bacterial growth with a 32-minute generation time occurred on negatively charged copolymers.

Conclusions:

  • Positively charged biomaterial surfaces demonstrate reduced bacterial surface growth.
  • Despite higher initial adhesion, positively charged surfaces may lower the risk of biomaterial-centered infections.
  • Surface charge is a critical factor in modulating bacterial colonization and infection potential of biomaterials.

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