A modular reactor to simulate biofilm development in orthopedic materials

Authors

  • Joana Barros INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica.
  • Liliana Grenho INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica.
  • Cândida M. Manuel LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Dept. Chemical Engineering, University of Porto.
  • Carla Ferreira LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Dept. Chemical Engineering, University of Porto.
  • Luís F. Melo LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Dept. Chemical Engineering, University of Porto.
  • Olga C. Nunes LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Dept. Chemical Engineering, University of Porto.
  • Fernando J. Monteiro INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica.
  • Maria P. Ferraz INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica.

Keywords:

orthopedic materials, orthopedic conditions, modular reactors, continuous flow, biomaterials, biofilm formation

Abstract

Surfaces of medical implants are generally designed to encourage soft- and/or hard-tissue adherence, eventually leading to tissue- or osseo-integration. Unfortunately, this feature may also encourage bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. To understand the mechanisms of bone tissue infection associated with contaminated biomaterials, a detailed understanding of bacterial adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation on biomaterial surfaces is needed. In this study, a continuous-flow modular reactor composed of several modular units placed in parallel was designed to evaluate the activity of circulating bacterial suspensions and thus their predilection for biofilm formation during 72 h of incubation. Hydroxyapatite discs were placed in each modular unit and then removed at fixed times to quantify biofilm accumulation. Biofilm formation on each replicate of material, unchanged in structure, morphology, or cell density, was reproducibly observed. The modular reactor therefore proved to be a useful tool for following mature biofilm formation on different surfaces and under conditions similar to those prevailing near human-bone implants. [Int Microbiol 2013; 16(3):191-198]

Keywords: orthopedic materials · orthopedic conditions · modular reactors · continuous flow · biomaterials · biofilm formation

Author Biography

Joana Barros, INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica.

 

 

 

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Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Research Articles

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