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Infections from biomaterials and implants: a race for the surface
A G Gristina1, P Naylor, Q Myrvik
1Section of Orthopedic Surgery, Wake Forest University Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Medical Progress Through Technology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Biomaterial surfaces enhance bacterial virulence, turning harmless microbes into dangerous pathogens. This leads to difficult-to-treat infections, often necessitating device removal and causing significant patient harm.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Microorganisms require surface attachment for growth and development.
- Implanted biomaterials can promote bacterial colonization and virulence.
- Biomaterial-associated infections are challenging to eradicate and often lead to device failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the interactions between biomaterial surfaces and microorganisms.
- To understand how biomaterial surface properties influence bacterial behavior and virulence.
- To discuss the mechanisms by which bacteria and biomaterials compromise host defenses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on biomaterial-microorganism interactions.
- Analysis of factors contributing to enhanced bacterial virulence on biomaterials.
- Examination of host defense interference by bacteria and biomaterials.
Main Results:
- Biomaterial surface characteristics dictate bacterial behavior, increasing pathogenicity.
- Co-interference by bacteria and biomaterials with host defenses exacerbates infections.
- Infections associated with biomaterials are notoriously difficult to treat, often requiring device explantation.
Conclusions:
- The specific nature of biomaterial surfaces is critical in driving bacterial virulence.
- Understanding these interactions is key to developing strategies for preventing biomaterial-associated infections.
- Failure of biomaterials due to infection has severe clinical and economic consequences.