Author:
Marrie T J,Nelligan J,Costerton J W
Abstract
We studied the pacemaker lead that had been removed from a patient who suffered three sequential episodes of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. This organism was recovered from the surface of the lead. Scanning electron microscopy showed differential colonization of the pacemaker lead. The metal tip, the inner surface and the internal wires were covered with a heavy biofilm of bacteria. The outer silastic surface had no biofilm adherent to it; instead, well-spaced bacterial cells were seen. These observations illustrate why infection of implantable devices persists despite intensive antibiotic chemotherapy.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Physiology (medical),Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
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4. Modified Thiocarbohydrazide Procedure for Scanning Electron Microscopy: Routine use for Normal, Pathological, or Experimental Tissues
5. Cohen AC Marlow DP Gamer GE: A rapid critical point using FIGUREI 4. (top) Scanning electron micrograph of one of the pacemaker wires that runs through the c ore of the pacemaker lead (site e infigure 1). A massive biofilm covers the coils anid their interstices. The cracks in the bioflm indicate the thickness of this material. The bar represents 500 jm. (bottom) A higher magnification of the biofilm covering the sur/ice of the wire. It is composed of a thick mass of bacterial cells that appear confluent. The layering of bacteria is readily evident. The bar represents 5 Am. Original magnification: (top) x 120; (bottom) x 7500.
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