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Bacterial adhesion to orthopedic implant polymers
A J Barton1, R D Sagers, W G Pitt
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Bacterial adhesion to polymers varied significantly based on the suspension medium. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) promoted nearly double the bacterial adhesion compared to tryptic soy broth (TSB), regardless of polymer type.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Bacterial adhesion to biomaterials is a critical factor in implant-associated infections.
- Understanding polymer surface properties influencing bacterial adhesion is essential for developing infection-resistant medical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli to various degradable and non-degradable polymers.
- To determine the influence of suspension medium and pre-exposure to hyaluronic acid on bacterial adhesion to polymers.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of poly(orthoester) (POE), poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), polysulfone (PSF), polyethylene (PE), and poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) to bacterial cultures.
- Resuspension of bacteria in tryptic soy broth (TSB) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) prior to polymer exposure.
- Pre-exposure of selected polymers to hyaluronic acid (HA) before bacterial challenge.
Main Results:
- Bacterial adhesion was approximately twice as high in PBS compared to TSB, irrespective of the polymer.
- In PBS, Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the highest adhesion, while Staphylococcus epidermidis exhibited the lowest.
- Pre-exposure to hyaluronic acid increased Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion to POE and PLA by 50%.
Conclusions:
- The suspension medium significantly impacts bacterial adhesion to polymers.
- Biodegradable polymers (POE, PLA) did not show significantly different bacterial adhesion compared to non-degradable polymers.
- Adhesion characteristics are species-dependent and can be influenced by surface modifications like hyaluronic acid treatment.
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