Hydrogen peroxide for prevention of bacterial growth on polymer biomaterials

Background. Despite widespread use of potent antibiotics, infections of art ificial implants and catheters are of increasing concern. We tested whether local treatment with 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), long known as an inexpen sive wound disinfectant, could prevent or reduce bacterial growth on polyme r biomaterials. Methods. Two-centimeter-long pieces of polyurethane and silicone tubing wer e contaminated with a standardized solution of Staphylococcus epidermidis ( 10(5)/mL) and then rinsed and wiped with saline (0.9%) solution. Bacterial growth was assessed after incubation at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Bacteria l colonies were compared for the following treatments: wiping only with sal ine; wiping with 1.5%, 2%, or 3% H2O2; pretreating biomaterials with 3% H2O 2 and subsequent contamination for 2 and 4 hours without treatment after co ntamination; and contamination of tubings I month after pretreatment with 3 0% H2O2. The effect of 3% H2O2 was also assessed on contamination with Esch erichia coli. Results. Bacterial growth was reduced by more than 99% when the contaminate d tubes were treated with 3% H2O2 compared with saline control (p < 0.001). Lower concentrations of H2O2 were less effective. The length of the contam ination period had no influence on the effectiveness of H2O2 when used on p olyurethane but did with silicone tubings. Pretreatment with H2O2 1 month b efore contamination still reduced bacterial growth rate by 90% on polyureth ane and by 75% on silicone tubings. Comparable effects on bacterial growth rate were observed for staphylococci (-90%, p < 0.001) and escherichiae (-9 0%, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Local treatment with 3% H2O2 significantly reduced bacterial g rowth on polymer biomaterials even for I month after treatment. This findin g might influence clinical strategies of prevention of foreign body infecti on. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.