Adhesion of Respiratory-Infection-Associated Microorganisms on Degradable Thermoplastic Composites

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate bacterial adhesion and early colonization on a composite consisting of bioactive glass (BAG) particles and copolymer ofε-caprolactone/D,L-lactide. Materials were incubated with suspensions of both type strains and clinical isolates ofStreptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, andPseudomonas aeruginosafor 30 minutes (adhesion) and 4 hours (colonization). Clear differences exist in the microorganisms' ability to adhere on the experimental materials. However, the presence of BAG particles does not inhibit bacterial adhesion, but early colonization of the materials withP. aeruginosawas inhibited by the addition of 90–315 μm BAG particles.