Bacterial adhesion to polymer surfaces: a critical review of surface thermodynamic approaches

This paper presents a review of the theories based on wetting measurements/interfacial thermodynamics most frequently used to explain bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces. The physical meaning of data stemming from the application of the different theories is discussed and compared with current knowledge on interactions between components of matter. It is underlined that existing theories are either in disagreement with accepted knowledge on interfacial interactions or yield conflicting results from a quantitative point of view. It is concluded that, according to the present state of the art, no completely satisfactory theory exists, and that theoretical and experimental difficulties still hinder the understanding of the relationship between surface/interface free energy and bacterial adhesion to solid substrates. The recognition of existing shortcomings should be the first step towards a more satisfactory state of the art.