Presence of Biofilms on Polyurethane-Coated Breast Implants: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Polyurethane-coated breast implants seem to be associated with lower medium- and long-term capsular contracture rates in comparison to textured or smooth implant surfaces. Although the etiology of capsular contracture is uncertain, bacterial biofilms have been suggested to trigger chronic peri-implant inflammation, eventually leading to capsular contracture. It is unknown whether polyurethane-coated implants are less prone to biofilm colonization than other implant surfaces. We extracted data from patient records included in a prospective cohort between 2008 and 2011. All patients who underwent removal of polyurethane-coated implants were included in this current study and screened for presence of biofilms by sonication. In addition, implant- and patient-related data were analyzed. Of the ten included polyurethane-coated breast implants, six had been inserted for reconstructive purposes and four for aesthetic reasons. The median implant indwelling time was 28.3 mo. Overall, sonication cultures were positive in 50% of implants. Propionibacterium acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the predominant pathogens isolated from biofilm cultures. Like other implant surfaces, polyurethane-coated implants are prone to biofilm colonization. Further investigations are needed to determine why capsular contracture rates seem to be lower in polyurethane implants than in other implant surfaces. Notably, in this study, 40% of the implants were explanted from breasts with severe capsular contracture.

The role of biofilm formation in the pathogenesis and antimicrobial susceptibility of Cutibacterium acnes

“…Refs. [ [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] ]). In 2007 it was shown that several C. acnes strains readily form biofilms in vitro and that production of virulence factors like lipases is increased in biofilms compared to planktonic cells [ 40 ].…”

Comparison of the antimicrobial efficacy of povidone-iodine-alcohol versus chlorhexidine-alcohol for surgical skin preparation on the aerobic and anaerobic skin flora of the shoulder region

“…In another study, the chance of obtaining C. acnespositive cultures was 2.5-fold greater in males and was smaller when patients reported to have hair loss [18]. In addition, C. acnes can be involved in infections after hip and knee joint replacements, after endo-prosthetic reconstructions of the femur [19], polyurethane-coated breast implants [20] and various other implants [21].…”

Recent Advances in Anti-virulence Therapeutic Strategies With a Focus on Dismantling Bacterial Membrane Microdomains, Toxin Neutralization, Quorum-Sensing Interference and Biofilm Inhibition

“…This lifestyle can protect bacteria against potential environmental stress, such as antibiotics and host defense components (Hall and Mah, 2017; Tseng et al, 2018). In the clinical situation, biofilm formed by pathogenic bacteria can establish themselves on human surfaces or medical devices, including implants, catheter, endotracheal tubes and others (Rieger et al, 2016; Konstantinović et al, 2017; Kenaley et al, 2018; Silva et al, 2018). Biofilm formation on these surfaces can serve as a source of infection.…”