Detection of Bacteria in Healthy Middle Ears During Cochlear Implantation

Abstract

The presence of bacteria in the tympanic cavity, which is generally assumed to be sterile in healthy individuals, may provide an explanation for infectious complications after cochlear implantation. However, the possibility that the electrode array of a cochlear implant will actually become contaminated during insertion is unlikely because of the small amounts and dispersed presence of bacteria, which may account for the relatively low incidence of infectious complications after cochlear implantation.

Detection of Bacterial Biofilm on Cochlear Implants Removed Because of Device Failure, Without Evidence of Infection

“…The presence of bacterial biofilm in the ME has been reported (18,19). Tonnaer et al (12), using SEM, searched for bacterial biofilm on the mucosa of the ME cavity, near the cochleostomy, during cochlear implantation and found mature biofilm in 8.9% of cases and scattered bacteria or microcolonies in 62%. Therefore, a Bnormal[ tympanic cavity cannot always be considered sterile, and the presence of living bacteria may explain the development of local infectious complications and meningitis after cochlear implantation.…”

Effect of Ossicular Prosthesis Biofilms on Middle Ear Scarring and Hearing Outcomes

“…Ossicular chain reconstruction routinely involves placement of a prosthesis in the presence of bacteria. Ears historically considered sterile have been found to harbor bacteria and evidence of biofilm formation (1). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and a wide range of microorganisms are commonly found in chronic suppurative otitis media.…”

Clinical Biofilms: A Challenging Frontier in Wound Care

“…Biofilm progression in local tissue is likely to be associated with local inflammatory activity and the production of microbial toxins that causes tissue damage 28 ; surface-associated biofilm may shed biofilm fragments or planktonic cells that can seed adjacent tissues and surfaces. 47,48 Biofilm and wound healing. A growing body of in vivo evidence now exists that implicates biofilm in delayed wound healing.…”