Antonelli Patrick J, Lee James C, Burne Robert A
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
Otol Neurotol. 2004 Nov;25(6):953-7. doi: 10.1097/00129492-200411000-00015.
To determine if bacterial biofilms are present on the surface of extruding or persistently infected cochlear implants.
Scanning electron microscopy was performed on cochlear implants removed from two patients because of recalcitrant infection, two implants removed secondary to device failure, and two devices that had never been implanted. Preparations were examined by experienced microbiologists for the presence of bacterial biofilms.
Microorganisms and amorphous extracellular debris were found on the surface of the infected cochlear implants and the implants removed because of device failure. Biofilm formation was deemed definite in one infected device and possible in the other explanted devices. The never-implanted controls demonstrated microbial contamination without exopolymeric matrix, inconsistent with biofilms.
Bacterial biofilm formation may play a role in recalcitrant cochlear implant infections. This may have profound implications for the treatment of cochlear implant infections.
确定在正在外排或持续感染的人工耳蜗表面是否存在细菌生物膜。
对因顽固性感染而从两名患者身上取出的人工耳蜗、因设备故障而取出的两枚人工耳蜗以及两枚从未植入过的设备进行扫描电子显微镜检查。有经验的微生物学家对标本进行检查，以确定是否存在细菌生物膜。
在受感染的人工耳蜗表面以及因设备故障而取出的人工耳蜗表面发现了微生物和无定形细胞外碎片。在一个受感染的设备中确定有生物膜形成，在其他取出的设备中可能有生物膜形成。从未植入的对照显示有微生物污染，但没有胞外聚合物基质，不符合生物膜的特征。
细菌生物膜的形成可能在顽固性人工耳蜗感染中起作用。这可能对人工耳蜗感染的治疗产生深远影响。
