Infection of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and Dacron-coated stents with Staphylococcus epidermidis: an experimental study in pigs

Abstract Background Diagnosis of the etiologic agent of endoprosthesis infections is essential to enable treatment, since these infections constitute important complications of endovascular procedures. Sonication of explanted tissue and materials is a technique that can be used to facilitate detection of biofilm-producing bacteria. Objectives To evaluate infection of pigs' aortas after implantation of nitinol stents coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) or Dacron, previously infected with biofilm-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis. Intimal thickening and the inflammatory response in the aortic wall were also evaluated. Methods 11 ePTFE-coated nitinol stents and 10 Dacron stents infected with S. epidermidis strains were implanted in the infrarenal aorta of 21 8-week-old pigs. After 2 weeks, the aorta containing the stents was removed. A vortex mixer and ultrasound were used to homogenize the samples and remove the biofilm. Subsequently, the number of colony-forming units was counted. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the number of colony-forming units or of inflammation in the arterial wall. With the exception of one specimen from the Dacron group, all aortic stent cultures were positive for S. epidermidis. Conclusions There were no significant differences in the inflammatory response or infection rate between ePTFE and Dacron-coated stents actively infected with biofilm-producing S. epidermidis. Intimal thickening and the inflammatory response to infection of endoprostheses were similar. These results suggest that the two most widely used stent lining materials have a similar infection rate.

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Initial Clinical Experience With a New Conformable Abdominal Aortic Endograft: Aortic Neck Coverage and Curvature Analysis in Challenging Aortic Necks

Journal of Endovascular Therapy ◽

10.1177/1526602821996723 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152660282199672

Author(s):

Alice Finotello ◽

Richte Schuurmann ◽

Sara Di Gregorio ◽

Gian Antonio Boschetti ◽

Nabil Chakfé ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aortic Wall ◽

Surface Coverage ◽

Infrarenal Aorta ◽

Technical Success ◽

Curvature Analysis ◽

Average Curvature ◽

Aortic Neck ◽

Abdominal Aortic ◽

Shortest Distance ◽

New Generation

Objectives: Aim of this work was to investigate precision of deployment and conformability of a new generation GORE EXCLUDER Conformable Endoprosthesis with active control system (CEXC Device, W.L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) by analyzing aortic neck coverage and curvature. Methods: All consecutive elective patients affected by abdominal aortic aneurysm or aortoiliac aneurysm treated at our institution between November 2018 and June 2019 with the new CEXC Device were enrolled. Validated software was adopted to determine the available apposition surface area into the aortic neck, apposition of the endograft to the aortic wall, shortest apposition length (SAL), shortest distance between the endograft fabric and the lowest renal arteries (SFD) and between the endograft fabric and the contralateral renal artery (CFD). Pointwise centerline curvature was also computed. Results: Twelve patients (10 men, median age 78 years (71.75, 81.0)) with available pre- and postoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) were included. Technical success was obtained in all the cases. Preoperative median length of the proximal aortic neck was 16.1 mm (10.7, 21.7) and suprarenal (α) and infrarenal (β) neck angulation were, respectively, 28.9° (15.7°, 47.5°) and 75.0° (66.9°, 81.4°). Postoperative median apposition surface coverage was 79% (69.25%, 90.75%) of the available apposition surface. SFD and CFD were 1.5 mm (0.75, 5.25) and 7 mm (4.5, 21.5), respectively. Average curvature over the infrarenal aorta decreased from 25 m−1 (21.75, 29.0) to 22.5 m−1 (18.75, 24.5) postoperatively (p=0.02). Maximum curvature did not decrease significantly from 64.5 m−1 (54.25, 92.0) to 62 m−1 (41.75, 71.5) (p=0.1). Conclusions: Our early experience showed that deployment of the CEXC Device is safe and effective for patients with challenging proximal aortic necks. Absence of significant changes between pre- and postoperative proximal aortic neck angulations and curvature confirms the high conformability of this endograft.

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The Development of the Ascending Aortic Wall in Tricuspid and Bicuspid Aortic Valve: A Process from Maturation to Degeneration

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9040908 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 908

Author(s):

Nimrat Grewal ◽

Adriana C. Gittenberger-de Groot ◽

Jan von der Thusen ◽

Lambertus J. Wisse ◽

Margot M. Bartelings ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aortic Valve ◽

Young Child ◽

Bicuspid Aortic Valve ◽

Aortic Wall ◽

Age Groups ◽

Intimal Thickening ◽

Aortic Dilation ◽

Future Studies ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Two Phases

Background: Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have an increased risk for aortic dilation and dissection. In this study, we provide a histological stratification of the developing aorta in the tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and the BAV populations as a reference for future studies on aortopathy and related syndromes. Methods: Non-dilated TAV and BAV ascending aortic wall samples were collected, including 60 TAV (embryonic–70 years) and 32 BAV specimens (fetal–72 years, categorized in eight age groups. Results: In TAV, intimal development starts in the neonatal phase. After birth, the thickness of the medial layer increases significantly by increase of elastic lamellae up to and including the “young child” phase stabilizing afterwards. The BAV shows already prenatal intimal thickening becoming significantly thinner after birth subsequently stabilizing. In BAV, increase in elastic lamellae is seen between the young child and the adolescent phases, stabilizing afterwards. Conclusions: Vascular development in TAV is described in three phases: maturation, stabilization, and degeneration. For BAV, the development can be described in two phases: maturation (already prenatally) and degeneration. After birth, the development of the aorta is characterized by degeneration, leading to weakening of the ascending aortic wall and increasing the risk of aortopathy.

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In vitro evaluation of microbial adhesion on the different surface roughness of acrylic resin specific for ocular prosthesis

European Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.4103/ejd.ejd_50_18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (02) ◽

pp. 176-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Agda Marobo Andreotti ◽

Cecília Alves De Sousa ◽

Marcelo Coelho Goiato ◽

Emily Vivianne Freitas da Silva ◽

Cristiane Duque ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surface Roughness ◽

Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽

Microbial Growth ◽

Acrylic Resin ◽

Microbial Adhesion ◽

Force Microscopy ◽

Atomic Force ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Ocular Prostheses

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of surface roughness in biofilm formation of four microorganisms (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans) on acrylic resin surface of ocular prostheses. Materials and Methods: Acrylic resin samples were divided into six groups according to polishing: Group 1200S (1200 grit + silica solution); Group 1200; Group 800; Group 400; Group 120 and Group unpolished. Surface roughness was measured using a profilometer and surface images obtained with atomic force microscopy. Microbial growth was evaluated after 4, 24, and 48 hours of incubation by counting colony-forming units. Statistical Analysis Used: For roughness, it was performed 1-way ANOVA and parametric Tukey test α5% (P ≤ 0.05). For CFU data found, it was applied Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Group 120 and 400 presented the highest roughness values. For S. epidermidis and S. aureus, Group 1200S presented the lowest values of microbial growth. For E. faecalis at 4 hour, microbial growth was not observed. C. albicans did not adhere to the acrylic resin. Except for Group 1200S, different surface roughnesses did not statistically interfere with microbial adhesion and growth on acrylic surfaces of ocular prostheses. Conclusions: The roughness did not interfere with the microbial adhesion of the microorganisms evaluated. The use of silica decreases significantly microbial growth.

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The Addition of Lactobacillus spp., Enrofloxacin or Doxycycline Negatively Affects the Viability of Mycoplasma bovis in Diluted Bovine Semen

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10050837 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 837

Author(s):

Ana García-Galán ◽

Ángel Gómez-Martín ◽

Esther Bataller ◽

Jesús Gomis ◽

Antonio Sánchez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Study ◽

Etiologic Agent ◽

Dairy Herds ◽

Mycoplasma Bovis ◽

Bull Semen ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Alternative Measures ◽

Initial Source ◽

Lactobacillus Spp

Mycoplasma bovis is an important etiologic agent of bovine mycoplasmosis in cattle. Different transmission routes have been described, including those related to reproduction. The presence of mycoplasma in semen has led to its appearance in infection-free areas through artificial insemination (AI). Semen was recently reported to be the initial source of two M. bovis mastitis outbreaks in two closed dairy herds in Finland. This questions the effectiveness of the antimicrobials currently used in semen extenders to control the pathogens in contaminated semen. They should be re-evaluated, or alternative measures to antimicrobials should be tested to obtain M. bovis-free semen. This in vitro study aimed to assess different strategies to reduce the risk of transmission of M. bovis through AI technologies. The viability of M. bovis (PG45, NCTC 10131) in bull semen diluted (DS) in a Tris-citrate-fructose solution was tested, after the addition of enrofloxacin, doxycycline or a Lactobacillus spp.-based probiotic. The data show the susceptibility of the pathogen to the addition of 0.125 μg/mL of enrofloxacin or 0.0625 μg/mL of doxycycline and to the addition of the probiotic at a concentration of 3.24 × 106 colony forming units (CFU)/mL or 3.24 × 108 CFU/mL in DS. The Tris-citrate-fructose medium negatively affected the viability of M. bovis, although this effect was lower than that observed after the addition of the probiotic and antimicrobials (p < 0.05). Our results may support new strategies for reducing the risk of M. bovis transmission through AI.

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The Viabahn balloon expandable stent for endovascular reconstruction of the infrarenal aorta and its bifurcation in cases of severe obstructive disease

Vascular ◽

10.1177/1708538120927847 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 170853812092784

Author(s):

Michele Antonello ◽

Francesco Squizzato ◽

Michele Piazza

Keyword(s):

Stent Graft ◽

Aortic Wall ◽

Technical Note ◽

Infrarenal Aorta ◽

Aortic Bifurcation ◽

Promising Technique ◽

Iliac Arteries ◽

Angio Ct ◽

New Generation ◽

Aortic Cuff

Introduction The covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation (CERAB) represents a promising technique for the treatment obstructive lesions involving the aortic bifurcation. The aim of this report is to describe the use of a new generation balloon-expandable stent-graft (Viabahn VBX, W.L. Gore&Associates, AZ, USA), in the CERAB configuration for the treatment of aorto-iliac obstructive lesions involving the infrarenal aorta and bifurcation. Technical note: This technique was adopted in two patients with severe aorto-iliac obstructive lesions. After bilateral iliac recanalization, an 11 mm diameter VBX stent was deployed in the infrarenal aorta; a post-dilatation up to 16 mm with a non-compliant balloon was performed to adapt the proximal edge of the stent to the aortic diameter. Two 8 mm diameter VBX stents were then deployed at the aortic bifurcation in a kissing conformation, overlapping with the previously positioned aortic stent for 15 mm. A post-ballooning with two kissing 12 × 20 mm compliant balloons (Powerflex Pro PTA, Cordis, CA, USA) was performed to adapt the parallel stents to the aortic cuff. A post-operative angio-CT demonstrated optimal conformability of the aortic cuff to the aortic wall, and apposition of the kissing stents to the aortic cuff. Conclusions This preliminary experience shows that the VBX stent may allow an effective reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation; the conformability and flaring capability may allow to overcome the diameter mismatch between the aorta and the iliac arteries.

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Bacteriological examination of a modern animal house containing small laboratory animals

Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1258/002367779781071311 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 21-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Martin Wierup

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Bacteriological Examination ◽

Small Laboratory ◽

Bacterial Counts ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Animal House ◽

Conventional Unit ◽

Bacteriological Contamination

Floors and other areas totalling 1800 m2, comprising conventional and specified-pathogen-free (SPF) units, were screened bacteriologically 6 times in a year. The contamination indices observed were lower within than outside the units, and lower in the SPF than in the conventional unit. Bacterial counts in rooms containing animals in the conventional and SPF units were very similar. In all of the areas investigated within the units, most of the samples revealed <2 colony forming units per cm2. In contrast, high degrees of bacteriological contamination were detected in the changing rooms after showering or washing before entry. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the dominant bacterial species isolated. The bacteriological spectrum did not vary between the areas surveyed.

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Bacterial survival and biofilm formation on conventional and antibacterial toothbrushes

Biofilms ◽

10.1017/s1479050504001334 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 123-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

R. L. Sammons ◽

D. Kaur ◽

P. Neal

Keyword(s):

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽

Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Bacterial Survival ◽

Opportunistic Pathogens ◽

Mechanical Agitation ◽

Gram Staining ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Number Of Bacteria

The aim of this study was to investigate bacterial survival and biofilm formation on toothbrushes. Fifteen healthy volunteers each used a normal toothbrush and an antibacterial toothbrush of the same design for two separate 5 week periods. Bacteria were removed from the brush head by swabbing and mechanical agitation in 10ml of tryptone soya broth, cultured aerobically on selective and non-selective media, and classified by Gram staining, catalase and oxidase tests. Survival of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was monitored in the laboratory on both types of brush over 8 days. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe biofilm formation on antibacterial and conventional brushes used for various times. Numbers of bacteria isolated from conventional and antibacterial brushes from different individuals ranged from 8.3×103 to 4.7×106 and from 1×102 to 1.2×106 colony-forming units/ml, respectively. A larger number of bacteria were isolated from conventional brushes than from antibacterial brushes used by the same individuals but no statistically significant difference was demonstrated. No differences in the relative proportions of Gram-negative and Gram-positive rods or cocci were seen. Staphylococci, presumptive coliforms and pseudomonads were isolated from 48%, 28% and 16% of brushes, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was viable for at least 4 days on conventional, and 2–3 days on antibacterial, brushes, whilst S. epidermidis survived for 6–8 days on antibacterial and more than 8 days on conventional brushes. Biofilms formed on the heads and bristles of both conventional and antibacterial brushes. Extensive, mixed community biofilms developed after several months of use. We conclude that toothbrushes may be a reservoir of opportunistic pathogens including staphylococci and pseudomonad-like organisms and must be considered as a potential source of haematogenous infections and cross-infection.

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Effect of Algae and Plant Lectins on Planktonic Growth and Biofilm Formation in Clinically Relevant Bacteria and Yeasts

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/365272 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Mayron Alves Vasconcelos ◽

Francisco Vassiliepe Sousa Arruda ◽

Victor Alves Carneiro ◽

Helton Colares Silva ◽

Kyria Santiago Nascimento ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Klebsiella Oxytoca ◽

Hypnea Musciformis ◽

Planktonic Growth ◽

Viable Cells ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Different Characteristics ◽

Vatairea Macrocarpa

This study aimed to evaluate the abilities of plant and algae lectins to inhibit planktonic growth and biofilm formation in bacteria and yeasts. Initially, ten lectins were tested onStaphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, andC. tropicalisat concentrations of 31.25 to 250 μg/mL. The lectins fromCratylia floribunda(CFL),Vatairea macrocarpa(VML),Bauhinia bauhinioides(BBL),Bryothamnion seaforthii(BSL), andHypnea musciformis(HML) showed activities against at least one microorganism. Biofilm formation in the presence of the lectins was also evaluated; after 24 h of incubation with the lectins, the biofilms were analyzed by quantifying the biomass (by crystal violet staining) and by enumerating the viable cells (colony-forming units). The lectins reduced the biofilm biomass and/or the number of viable cells to differing degrees depending on the microorganism tested, demonstrating the different characteristics of the lectins. These findings indicate that the lectins tested in this study may be natural alternative antimicrobial agents; however, further studies are required to better elucidate the functional use of these proteins.

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Establishment and Characterization of Bacterial Infection of Breast Implants in a Murine Model

Aesthetic Surgery Journal ◽

10.1093/asj/sjz190 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (5) ◽

pp. 516-528 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jennifer N Walker ◽

Louis H Poppler ◽

Chloe L Pinkner ◽

Scott J Hultgren ◽

Terence M Myckatyn

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽

Breast Implant ◽

Breast Implants ◽

Surface Characteristics ◽

Implant Surface ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Common Causes ◽

The Impact ◽

Post Implantation

Abstract Background Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common causes of Gram-positive and Gram-negative breast implant–associated infection. Little is known about how these bacteria infect breast implants as a function of implant surface characteristics and timing of infection. Objectives The aim of this work was to establish a mouse model for studying the impact of various conditions on breast implant infection. Methods Ninety-one mice were implanted with 273 breast implant shells and infected with S. epidermidis or P. aeruginosa. Smooth, microtextured, and macrotextured breast implant shells were implanted in each mouse. Bacterial inoculation occurred during implantation or 1 day later. Implants were retrieved 1 or 7 days later. Explanted breast implant shells were sonicated, cultured, and colony-forming units determined or analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. Results P. aeruginosa could be detected on all device surfaces at 1- and 7- days post infection (dpi), when mice were implanted and infected concurrently or when they were infected 1- day after implantation. However, P. aeruginosa infection was more robust on implant shells retrieved at 7 dpi and particularly on the macrotextured devices that were infected 1 day post implantation. S. epidermidis was mostly cleared from implants when mice were infected and implanted concurrently. Other the other hand, S. epidermidis could be detected on all device surfaces at 1 dpi and 2 days post implantation. However, S. epidermdis infection was suppressed by 7 dpi and 8 days post implantation. Conclusions S. epidermidis required higher inoculating doses to cause infection and was cleared within 7 days. P. aeruginosa infected at lower inoculating doses, with robust biofilms noted 7 days later.

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Abstract 15501: Repeated Social Defeat Exaggerates Cacl2-induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Expansion by Suppression of Periaortic Fibrosis in Tissue Repair Phase

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.142.suppl_3.15501 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Hiroshi Kubota ◽

Hiroyuki Yamada ◽

Takeshi Sugimoto ◽

Daisuke Miyawaki ◽

Noriyuki Wakana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ◽

Aortic Aneurysm ◽

Inflammatory Response ◽

Social Defeat ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Maximum Diameter ◽

Elastic Membrane ◽

Infrarenal Aorta ◽

Abdominal Aortic ◽

External Elastic Membrane

Background and Objective: Depression is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease and significantly associated with the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We investigated the impact of repeated social defeat (RSD) on AAA formation. Methods and Results: Eight-week-old male WT mice were exposed to RSD by housing with a larger CD-1 mouse in a shared cage. They were subjected to vigorous physical contact daily for 10 consecutive days. Control mice were housed in the same cage without physical contact. After social interaction test to confirm depressive-like behaviors, mice underwent application of 0.5M calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) on the infrarenal aorta. At one-week, maximum diameter and circumference of external elastic membrane were comparable between the two groups. The number of F-4/80 and MMP-9-positive cells in immunofluorescent images were also comparable. Consistently, fluorescent image taken by IVIS revealed no difference in MMP activity, suggesting that acute inflammatory response was comparable between the two groups. In contrast, at two weeks, maximum diameter and circumference of external elastic membrane were significantly increased in defeated mice ( p < 0.01). Intriguingly, periaortic fibrotic area in aneurysmal portion was markedly decreased in defeated mice (12.5х10 3 μm 2 vs. 3.7х10 3 μm 2 , Control vs. Defeat, p < 0.01). Consistently, accumulation of α-SMA-positive cells in adventitia of aneurysmal portion was much lesser in defeated mice (876 cells/mm 2 vs. 319 cells/mm 2 , Control vs. Defeat, p < 0.05), whereas those in tunica media of non-aneurysmal portion did not show any difference between the two groups. LPS-induced iNOS gene and protein expressions in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were significantly decreased in defeated mice, whereas the TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and ERK1/2 in primary cultured aortic VSMCs were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that RSD enhances AAA expansion by suppressing the periaortic fibrosis following inflammatory response, and suggest that decreased NO production from accumulated macrophages contributes to the reduced VSMCs proliferation and collagen deposition.

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