Biotechnology Laboratory

Center for Innovation, Inc.

Medical Product Testing

Biofilms have been implicated in nosocomial infections associated with catheter surfaces, implanted medical devices, and wound dressings.  Microorganisms growing within biofilms are more resistant to antimicrobials and antibiotics then planktonic cells, requiring very high and/or long term doses that may be medically impractical. 

 

Biofilms are of concern to the dental industry.  Dental plaque is a biofilm associated with periodontal disease.  Biofilms can colonize dental implants and dentures.  Biofilms can develop in dental unit waterlines, serving as safe harbor for pathogenic microorganisms.  Biofilms form in a step-wise manner with the initial formation of a conditioning film typically organic in nature.  Microorganisms, the primary colonizers, attach to the conditioned surface.  These microorganisms along with the extracellular polymeric substance they produce provide additional sites for attachment of other microorganisms. 

 

Biofilms can form on contact lenses in lens cases resulting in corneal infections including corneal ulcers and keratitis.  Contact lenses and cases can become contaminated with protozoa, fungi, and bacteria.  The most common contaminating microorganism is  Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Staphylococci and other gram negative microorganisms. 

 

CFI can develop client specific test methods to evaluate medical surfaces, antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, etc. with regard to (as appropriate)

 

             ∙ prevention of initial adhesion events

 

             ∙ removal of established biofilms

 

             ∙ potential for development of resistant microflora

 

             ∙ minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC)

 

             ∙ minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC)