The Use of Zwitterionic Methylmethacrylat Coated Silicone Inhibits Bacterial Adhesion and Biofilm Formation of Staphylococcus aureus.

Franziska Woitschach,Karsten Schlodder,Marlen Kloss,Anne Rabes,Martina Sombetzki,Volkmar Senz,Alexander Borck,Emil Christian Reisinger,Stefan Oschatz,Caroline Mörke,Niels Grabow

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2021.686192

Franziska Woitschach, Karsten Schlodder + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.686192

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Abstract

In recent decades, biofilm-associated infections have become a major problem in many medical fields, leading to a high burden on patients and enormous costs for the healthcare system. Microbial infestations are caused by opportunistic pathogens which often enter the incision already during implantation. In the subsequently formed biofilm bacteria are protected from the hosts immune system and antibiotic action. Therefore, the development of modified, anti-microbial implant materials displays an indispensable task. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) represents the state-of-the-art material in implant manufacturing. Due to the constantly growing areas of application and the associated necessary adjustments, the optimization of these materials is essential. In the present study, modified liquid silicone rubber (LSR) surfaces were compared with two of the most commonly used TPUs in terms of bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. The tests were conducted with the clinically relevant bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy showed reduced adhesion of bacteria and thus biofilm formation on these new materials, suggesting that the investigated materials are promising candidates for implant manufacturing.

Highlights

Bacterial contamination of cardiovascular implants is an increasing problem that can be fatal if left untreated
For the dispersive component of Surface free energy (SFE), all liquid silicone rubber (LSR) values were in a similar range and showed a significant reduction compared to the Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and the control (Figure 2D)
The polar component of PMMA-methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) was more than 14 times higher than that of TPUs and other LSRs and twice that of tmx (Figure 2E)

Summary

Introduction

Bacterial contamination of cardiovascular implants is an increasing problem that can be fatal if left untreated. Complications due to biofilm on cardiovascular devices account for 4% in mechanical heart valves, 10% in ventricular shunts, 4% in pacemakers and defibrillator, and approximately 40% in ventricular-assisted devices (Darouiche, 2004). Bacterial adhesion and the resulting biofilm formation on implants strongly depend on surface properties. Biofilms represent a multicellular community of bacteria that attach to solid surfaces and are surrounded by an exopolymer matrix. Bacteria in these aggregations are more resistant to antibiotic treatment and can evade the host’s immune defense (de La Fuente-Núñez et al, 2013; Lister and Horswill, 2014). Biofilm formation is the most common cause of catheter, pacemaker leads and heart valve infections (Peters et al, 1981; Marrie et al, 1982; Oliveira et al, 2018)

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