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In vitro assessment of an antibacterial quaternary ammonium-based polymer loaded with chlorhexidine for the coating of polypropylene prosthetic meshes

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Abstract

Purpose

This study assesses the use of an absorbable polymer loaded with chlorhexidine (CHX) as an antibacterial coating for polypropylene (PP) meshes employed in hernia repair.

Methods

The polymer N,N-dimethyl-N-benzyl-N-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl) ammonium bromide was loaded with CHX (1 % w/w). Fragments (1 cm2) of Optilene® Mesh Elastic were coated either with the unloaded (POL) or CHX-loaded polymer (POL–CHX). Uncoated fragments (PP) served as controls. The release kinetics of the POL–CHX coating was monitored by HPLC. Sterile fragments were placed on agar plates previously contaminated with 106 CFU of Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) ATCC25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis (Se) ATCC12228, or Escherichia coli (Ec) ATCC25922 and incubated at 37 °C for 1/2/7 days. At each time point, inhibition halos were measured and bacterial adhesion to the meshes quantified by sonication and scanning electron microscopy. Coating cytotoxic effects were examined on cultured fibroblasts.

Results

The polymer coating gradually released CHX over 3 days. Inhibition halos were produced only around the POL–CHX-coated meshes and these were significantly smaller for Ec than Sa or Se (p < 0.01). While POL–CHX prevented bacterial adhesion to the mesh, the reduced bacterial yields over time were observed for the POL-coated versus control PP meshes (p < 0.001). By day 7, only Ec remained attached to the surface of control meshes. The POL coating was not cytotoxic, yet POL–CHX reduced the viability of cultured fibroblasts.

Conclusions

When loaded with the antiseptic CHX, this quaternary ammonium-based polymer coating released its contents in a controlled manner indicating its potential prophylactic use to reduce the risk of infection following PP mesh implantation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Medical and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km 33,600, Alcalá de Henares, 28871, Madrid, Spain

    B. Pérez-Köhler, F. García-Moreno & J. M. Bellón

  2. Polymeric Biomaterials Group, Polymer Science and Technology Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ICTP-CSIC), Madrid, Spain

    M. Fernández-Gutiérrez & J. San Román

  3. Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain

    G. Pascual

  4. Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain

    B. Pérez-Köhler, M. Fernández-Gutiérrez, G. Pascual, F. García-Moreno, J. San Román & J. M. Bellón

Authors
  1. B. Pérez-Köhler
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  2. M. Fernández-Gutiérrez
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  3. G. Pascual
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  4. F. García-Moreno
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  5. J. San Román
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  6. J. M. Bellón
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Pérez-Köhler.

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Conflict of interest

BPK declares no conflicts of interest. MFG declares no conflicts of interest. GP declares no conflicts of interest. FGM declares no conflicts of interest. JSR declares no conflicts of interest. JMB declares no conflicts of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.

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Pérez-Köhler, B., Fernández-Gutiérrez, M., Pascual, G. et al. In vitro assessment of an antibacterial quaternary ammonium-based polymer loaded with chlorhexidine for the coating of polypropylene prosthetic meshes. Hernia 20, 869–878 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-016-1537-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-016-1537-z

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