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Reduced adherence of Candida to silane‐treated silicone rubber
Author(s) -
Price C. L.,
Williams D. W.,
Waters M. G. J.,
Coulthwaite L.,
Verran J.,
Taylor R. L.,
Stickler D.,
Lewis M. A. O.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.30226
Subject(s) - silicone , silicone rubber , silane , candida albicans , candida krusei , candida tropicalis , penetration (warfare) , materials science , antifungal , saliva , vulcanization , contact angle , natural rubber , microbiology and biotechnology , composite material , dentistry , medicine , biology , operations research , engineering
Silicone rubber is widely used in the construction of medical devices that can provide an essential role in the treatment of human illness. However, subsequent microbial colonization of silicone rubber can result in clinical infection or device failure. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a novel silane‐treated silicone rubber in inhibiting microbial adherence and material penetration. Test material was prepared by a combination of argon plasma discharge treatment and fluorinated silane coupling. Chemicophysical changes were then confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact‐angle measurement, and atomic force microscopy. Two separate adherence assays and a material penetration assay assessed the performance of the new material against four strains of Candida species. Results showed a significant reduction ( p < 0.01) of Candida albicans GDH 2346 adherence to silane‐treated silicone compared with untreated controls. This reduction was still evident after the incorporation of saliva into the assay. Adherence inhibition also occurred with Candida tropicalis MMU and Candida krusei NCYC, although this was assay dependent. Reduced penetration of silane‐treated silicone by Candida was evident when compared to untreated controls, plaster‐processed silicone, and acrylic‐processed silicone. To summarize, a novel silicone rubber material is described that inhibits both candidal adherence and material penetration. The clinical benefit and performance of this material remains to be determined. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005