Inhibition of bacterial adhesion by tobramycin-impregnated PMMA bone cement

We investigated the effect of tobramycin-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement on the adhesion and colonization of Staphylococcus epidermidis. The pattern of colonization was quantitated using plate count techniques and electron microscopy. Colonization of the tobramycin-impregnated disc surface by adhesive bacteria was demonstrated but it was less than in the control disc. This finding suggests that tobramycin may reduce bacterial adherence and proliferation on the PMMA surface.