Bacterial growth in saline implants study

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Bacterial growth in saline implants: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Chen NT; PE; Hooper DC;

Ann Plast Surg Date of Pub: 1996 Apr Issue/Part/Supplement: 4 Volume

Issue:36 Pagination: 337-41

Abstract:

The survival of bacteria was evaluated in custom-made saline breast

implants with integral injection ports in vitro and in 10 New

Zealand White rabbits for Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus

epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

Pseudomonas and Serratia survived in vitro in saline-filled implants

and multiplied 24-fold and 22-fold, respectively, from the initial

inocula of 300 colony-forming units per cubic centimeter in 21 days.

Serratia alone survived in saline implants placed on the dorsum of

rabbits, proliferated 80-fold in 7 days, and tapered to 10-fold at

the end of 3 weeks. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of

glucose in fluid from the implants in the animal study (mean, 1.2 mg

per deciliter; standard error of mean ÍSEMÍ, 0.6) after 21 days and

from human subjects (mean, 3.8 mg per deciliter; SEM, 1.0) after 8

months to 10 years. Serratia incubated in human breast implant fluid

samples proliferated 7-fold to 30-fold greater than in the saline

control in a nonaerated environment. We conclude that some bacteria

are able to proliferate in saline in breast implants. Furthermore,

their survival may be facilitated by a substance (i.e., glucose)

that diffuses across the implant outer shell.

Unique Identifier: 96292620

ISSN:0148-7043

Machine-Readable Data: NLM010059904

Address Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital,

Boston 02114, USA.