Choice of Polymer, but Not Mesh Structure Variation, Reduces the Risk of Bacterial Infection with Staphylococcus...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Innovation
• Immunology

Background:

• Synthetic meshes are crucial for incisional hernia repair, influencing mechanical stability and tissue response.
• The impact of mesh characteristics on bacterial infection risk remains unclear.
• This study investigates how mesh structure and material affect infection outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the influence of modified mesh structures with varying filament linking on bacterial infection.
• To compare the host tissue response to infection in polypropylene (PP) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) meshes.

Main Methods:

• 56 male Sprague Dawley rats received subcutaneous abdominal mesh implants (PP and PVDF, standard and bold structures).
• Meshes were infected with Staphylococcus aureus during implantation.
• Histological evaluation of tissue response (CD68+, CD4+, CD8+ cells) at 7 and 21 days post-implantation.

Main Results:

• Inflammatory response was higher at 7 days than 21 days post-implantation.
• Polypropylene (PP) meshes exhibited a stronger inflammatory response than PVDF meshes, particularly at 7 days.
• CD8+ T cell infiltration was higher in PP meshes, while PVDF meshes with a bold structure showed more CD4+ T cells.

Conclusions:

• The early period post-implantation shows the highest inflammatory tissue response to Staphylococcus aureus infection.
• Polypropylene (PP) meshes elicit a greater inflammatory reaction compared to PVDF meshes.
• Mesh material is a more significant factor in infection risk than variations in filament linking.