Adhesion and Colonization Intensity of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans on Smooth, Micro-Textured, and Macro-Textured Silicone Biomaterials

Implantable biomaterials are widely used in modern medicine, especially in orthopaedics, cardiovascular surgery, dentistry, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. The issue of the interaction of implants with body tissues and the risk of infection associated with them is one of the most studied and topical issues in medicine. It is very important to find a biomaterial that effectively combines both microbiology and tissue compatibility aspects. The aim of this research work was to determine the adhesion and colonization rates of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans on smooth, microtextured, and macro-textured silicone biomaterials in an in vitro study. A total of 90 silicone biomaterial samples were used, 30 for each type of biomaterial. In each of the biomaterial groups, half of the samples (n = 15) were used to determine the adhesion intensity and the other half to determine the colonization intensity on the active surface of the biomaterial samples. The study found that Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest adhesion intensity on the macro-textured implant, while Candida albicans adhered best to smooth. Among the microorganisms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated the highest colonization rate, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and then Candida albicans. The most intensive colonization of microorganisms was on the macro-textured implant, then on the micro-textured, and then on the smooth. The smooth and micro-textured implants did not show statistically significant differences in the intensity of adhesion and colonization. The biomaterials did not show pro-oxidant or anti-oxidant properties, and no lipid peroxidation was induced by the biomaterials.