Oosterhof Janine J, Elving G Jolanda, Stokroos Ietse, van Nieuw Amerongen Arie, van der Mei Henny C, Busscher Henk J, van Weissenbruch Ranny, Albers Frans W
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Biofouling. 2003 Dec;19(6):347-53. doi: 10.1080/08927010310001612054.
The integrity of biofilms on voice prostheses used to rehabilitate speech in laryngectomized patients causes unwanted increases in airflow resistance, impeding speech. Biofilm integrity is ensured by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). This study aimed to determine whether synthetic salivary peptides or mucolytics, including N-acetylcysteine and ascorbic acid, influence the integrity of voice prosthetic biofilms. Biofilms were grown on voice prostheses in an artificial throat model and exposed to synthetic salivary peptides, mucolytics and two different antiseptics (chlorhexidine and Triclosan). Synthetic salivary peptides did not reduce the air flow resistance of voice prostheses afterm biofilm formation. Although both chlorhexidine and Triclosan reduced microbial numbers on the prostheses, only the Triclosan-containing positive control reduced the air flow resistance. Unlike ascorbic acid, the mucolytic N-acetylcysteine removed most EPS from the biofilms and induced a decrease in air flow resistance.
