ADHERENCE TO A METAL, POLYMER AND COMPOSITE BY STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS-EPIDERMIDIS

Bacterial adherence on to several materials with a potential applicati on in reconstructive surgery was studied. Polymer (poly(L-lactide)), c omposite (hydroxyapatite/poly(L-lactide)) and metal (316L stainless st eel) were evaluated both as smooth and sandblasted specimens. All mate rials were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline, challenged with Sta phylococcus aureus or S. epidermidis and evaluated for up to 24 h. S. aureus showed a preference for the metal and composite tested over the polymer used. For S. epidermidis no preference was found for one of t he investigated materials. The influence of surface roughness on bacte rial growth was demonstrated by increased colonization on the sandblas ted specimens.