Abstract
Objective: Biofilm formation has been linked to otologic implant infection and extrusion. The purpose of this study was to determine if a microbicidal polyquaternary polymer (PP) could prevent biofilm development by common otopathogens, Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA).
Method: Polyurethane tubes (20 per treatment) with and without a PP were briefly exposed to plasma or saline, then to SA or PA. Tubes were incubated in growth media. After 4 days, antibiotics were added to kill planktonic bacteria. Biofilm formation was assessed by bacterial counts and scanning electron microscopy.
Results: SA biofilm was reduced by 8 logs on tubes with the PP compared to the control tubes (P < .0001). PA biofilm formation was also less on tubes with the PP (P < .0001), but the reduction was only 1 log. Plasma promoted SA and PA biofilm on the control tubes (P < .0001) but not on the tubes with the PP (P = .07 and .40 for SA and PA, respectively).
Conclusion: Incorporation of a microbicidal PP into polyurethane dramatically inhibits SA biofilm formation. Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this technology in otologic implants.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.