Surface biofilm disruption. Enhanced recovery of microorganisms from vascular prostheses
D. F. Tollefson, D. F. Bandyk, H. W. Kaebnick, G. R. Seabrook and J. B. Towne
Ultrasonic oscillation (sonication) of explanted vascular prosthetic graft
material can disrupt surface biofilms and increase the recovery of adherent
microorganisms. Recovery of microorganisms from vascular grafts was studied
in a canine model of Staphylococcus epidermidis graft contamination (N =
26) and on graft material excised from patients undergoing femoral
anastomotic pseudoaneurysm repair (N = 7). Surface biofilm disruption by
sonication significantly increased the incidence of positive cultures of
excised graft material compared with broth (P less than .010) and blood
agar plate (P less than .005) culture techniques. The S epidermidis was
recovered from 31% of the canine vascular grafts and 100% of the clinical
specimens. The in vitro production of a glycocalyx "slime" was demonstrated
in 73% of the recovered staphylococcal strains. The formation of an
adherent bacteria biofilm on implanted vascular prostheses is not an
uncommon occurrence and is an important factor in the pathogenesis of
anastomotic pseudoaneurysm formation and late graft infection.
