Objective. To analyze publications devoted to the possibility of using bacterial nanocellulose as a plastic material for defects in the dura mater associated with spine and spinal cord pathology. Material and Methods. The PubMed database was searched with keywords "bacterial cellulose properties" and "bacterial cellulose". The search was limited to articles published in English-and Russian-language journals in 2009-2019. The limitation was caused by the need for up-to-date evaluation of the properties of bacterial nanocellulose. The search with keywords "bacterial cellulose properties" returned a list of 963 articles and with key words "bacterial cellulose"-a list of 3908 articles. The Google search engine was also used, in which articles were found actually reflecting properties of bacterial nanocellulose without which complete understanding of its nature is impossible. After assessing the found data, 76 articles were selected that reflect this issue to the fullest extent. More than fifty percent of the reviewed articles were published within the last 10 years. Evidence level: IV; recommendation grade: C, though randomized trials with evidence level Ib and recommendation level A are used. Results. Implants made of bacterial nanocellulose are able to perform the function of the extracellular matrix by providing a barrier function, creating conditions for the circulation of metabolites and oxygen, and preventing the achievement of excess cell concentration. Conclusion. The use of bacterial nanocellulose as an implant for closure of the dura mater defects associated with the spinal cord pathology is a promising direction in neurosurgery, since nanocellulose does not cause adhesions to the nervous tissue and performs a barrier function.

Currently, several materials for the closure of the dura mater (DM) defects are known. However, the long-term results of their usage reveal a number of disadvantages. The use of antibiotics and chitosan is one of the major trends in solving the problems associated with infectious after-operational complications. This work compares the mechanical properties of samples of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) impregnated with Novochizol™ and vancomycin with native BNC and preserved and native human DM. An assessment of the possibility of controling the mechanical properties of these materials by changing their thickness has been performed by statistical analysis methods. A total of 80 specimens of comparable samples were investigated. During the analysis, the results obtained, the factor of Novochizol™ addition has provided a statistically significant impact on the strength properties (Fisher Criteria p-value 0.00509 for stress and 0.00112 for deformation). Moreover, a stronger relationship between the thickness of the samples and their ultimate load was shown: R2=0.236 for BNC + Novochizol™ + vancomycin, compared to R2=0.0405 for native BNC. Using factor analysis, it was possible to show a significant effect of modified chitosan (Novochizol™) on the ultimate stress (p-value = 0.005).

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Methods of binding antibacterial drugs to the surface of cellulose without the use of oxidizing agents to prevent the occurrence of wound infections have been studied. The immobilization of gentamicin in the complex of partially denatured albumin in the composition with bacterial cellulose has been analyzed. The study was carried out on samples of cellulose synthesized by Gluconacetobacter hansenii. Albumin served as a binding agent, which was used to impregnate cellulose samples, which were then denatured. Using PCR amplifi cation CFX (BioRad), the optimal denaturation temperature was selected. The effectiveness of the immobilization of albumin in the thickness of the cellulose was assessed by staining it with the luminescent dye SYPRO® Ruby Protein Gel Stain, followed by transilluminator detection. Bacterial cellulose impregnated with undenatured albumin was used as a control. Albumin immobilization in bacterial cellulose was observed at temperatures of 65– 95 °C. The antibacterial activity of the complex “cellulose + albumin + gentamicin” was evaluated using a test strain of bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. The growth inhibition of the test strain of bacteria was observed in all tests with bacterial cellulose in combination with partially denatured albumin and gentamicin. In control samples, in which gentamicin was not immobilized as part of partially denatured albumin, growth inhibition zones of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 were not noted. It was concluded that by partial denaturation of albumin it is possible to delay antibacterial drugs in the thickness of bacterial cellulose for their further release. A new version of the material suitable for the production of implants and bandages based on bacterial cellulose gel with antibacterial properties is proposed. Dressings based on a composite of bacterial cellulose, albumin and gentamicin are most relevant for the treatment of burns. The presence of gentamicin in their composition is also relevant for the prevention of bacterial infections.