Kinetics of colonization of a porous vitreous carbon percutaneous implant

Implants of porous vitreous carbon with pore diameters 200-500 microns were surgically placed in rabbits and pigs. Skin colonization experiments were carried out by topically inoculating concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in a test area adjacent to the implant and to a remote control area. Subsequent swab cultures were taken at 6, 24, 48 and 72 h and one or more weeks. In vitro attachment studies were also performed using bacteria stained with FITC on 1 mm slices of the porous carbon. Proplast was used as a control. Results showed that despite a temporary high rate of colonization and obvious binding of the bacteria to the carbon, the skin-implant interface resists infection by both normal and pathogenic flora.