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Impact of postantibiotic effect on bacterial adherence to vascular prostheses

D D Schmitt1, C E Edmiston, C Krepel

  • 1Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.

The Journal of Surgical Research
|April 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

High antibiotic concentrations can cause a postantibiotic effect (PAE), suppressing bacterial growth. Rifampin demonstrated a significant PAE and reduced Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to Dacron grafts.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • The postantibiotic effect (PAE) describes the prolonged suppression of bacterial growth after brief exposure to antibiotics.
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common pathogen associated with prosthetic graft infections.
  • Understanding PAE's impact on bacterial adherence is crucial for preventing biomaterial colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the postantibiotic effect (PAE) of cefazolin, vancomycin, and rifampin on Staphylococcus epidermidis.
  • To evaluate the impact of PAE on the adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Dacron grafts.
  • To determine the concentration-dependent effects of antibiotics on PAE and bacterial adherence.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of Staphylococcus epidermidis (RP-62) to 2X and 6X MIC of cefazolin, vancomycin, or rifampin for 1 hour.
  • Incubation in antibiotic-free broth for 2-24 hours to measure PAE (T-C).
  • Quantitative culture technique to assess bacterial adherence to Dacron graft specimens.

Main Results:

  • PAE was observed only with rifampin (6 hr at 2X MIC, 8 hr at 6X MIC).
  • Rifampin significantly decreased Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to Dacron grafts at both 2X MIC (P<0.05) and 6X MIC (P<0.01).
  • PAE and its effect on adherence were both antimicrobial and concentration-dependent.

Conclusions:

  • Rifampin exhibits a notable postantibiotic effect and reduces bacterial adherence to Dacron grafts.
  • The findings suggest that PAE could be leveraged to minimize bacterial colonization of bioprosthetics.
  • Preoperative antibiotic strategies may reduce graft colonization by altering bacterial adherence properties.

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