7 SURGICAL SILICONES RETAIN STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS DIFFERENTLY IN-VITRO

In an in vitro study, we have quantitatively evaluated the capability of seven different types of silicone to retain a Staphylococcus aureus strain, isolated from a surgical wound. All the silicone specimens we re taken from prostheses already used in plastic or ophthalmological s urgery. Two polymers were used as controls: polystyrene, because of it s known capability to favour in vitro bacterial recovery, and nylon, f or its bacterial repellence. The results show that all silicones are s uitable substrata for Staphylococcus aureus. However, there are some d ifferences among silicone types. The amounts of bacteria retained from silicone oils are greater than or equal to those obtained from the po sitive control material.