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Scanning electron microscopy of moist bacterial strike-through of surgical materials
Abstract:
Scanning electron microscopy was used to demonstrate the process of moist bacterial strike-through of woven and nonwoven surgical materials. Three woven and three nonwoven materials were challenged with an aqueous suspension of Serratia marcescens. The results of these studies confirmed that relatively new, less than 100 cycles of washing and sterilizing, 270 thread Quarpel treated Pima cotton prevents moist bacterial penetration. However, this same woven material when washed and sterilized more than 100 times allowed bacterial penetration. Nonwoven materials prevented penetration only when they were impregnated with plastic or reinforced with a plastic film. Prevention of moist bacterial strike-through of surgical materials, whether they be woven or nonwoven, is dependent upon the effectiveness of their waterproof quality. In woven materials, we have confirmed our previous findings indicating that loss of waterproof characteristics, which occurs after 75 washing-sterilizing cyclings, leads to permeability and to moist bacterial strike-through, regardless of the weave density. In nonwoven materials, dependable resistance to moist bacterial strike, through was achieved only when all moisture penetration was prevented by reinforcement with waterproof plastic film.
Insights
New surgical materials resist bacterial penetration, but repeated washing and sterilization degrade their waterproof quality. This study shows nonwoven materials require plastic reinforcement for reliable bacterial strike-through prevention.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
- Textile Engineering
Background:
- Surgical materials must prevent bacterial penetration to maintain sterile environments.
- The effectiveness of woven and nonwoven surgical fabrics against bacterial strike-through is critical for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of washing and sterilization cycles on the bacterial strike-through resistance of surgical materials.
- To evaluate the role of waterproof qualities in preventing moist bacterial penetration through woven and nonwoven fabrics.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to visualize bacterial penetration.
- Three woven and three nonwoven surgical materials were challenged with Serratia marcescens.
- Materials underwent varying cycles of washing and sterilization.
Main Results:
- New Quarpel-treated Pima cotton (woven) prevented bacterial penetration up to 100 wash-sterilize cycles.
- Woven materials exceeding 100 cycles showed bacterial penetration, irrespective of weave density.
- Nonwoven materials only prevented penetration when reinforced with plastic film.
Conclusions:
- The waterproof quality of surgical materials is paramount for preventing moist bacterial strike-through.
- Woven materials lose their protective waterproof characteristics after approximately 75 wash-sterilize cycles.
- Nonwoven materials require plastic reinforcement to ensure dependable resistance to bacterial penetration.