Summary: | Background: One of the major drawbacks in the use of biomedical materials is the occurrence of biomaterial-centered infections. Adhesion of microorganisms to an implant is mediated by their physico-chemical surface properties and the properties of the biomaterial surface itself. Subsequent surface growth of the microorganisms will lead to a mature biofilm and infection, which is difficult to eradicate by antibiotics.
Objective: The purpose of this research is to examine the adhesion in the combined cultivation of Staphylococcus aureus and the Lactobacillus plantarum probiotic bacterium on the surface of different metals (copper, aluminium, low-carbon steel, and zinc).
Methods: The precise weighing (with an allowance of 0,0001 g) of the metal plates before and after the treatment found a minimum negative change in their weight, which may be caused by reduction resulting from corrosion processes, on one hand, or growth because of the forming of a biofilm, on the other. The structure of the layer over the metal plates was analysed by SEM (scanning electron microscopy) JSM 5510.
Results: The thinnest biofilm for both bacteria was registered on the surface of the copper plate. When a combined culture is used on the surface of the aluminium and the steel plates, the pathogenic bacterium is adhered predominantly. On the zinc plate it is only the probiotic bacterium that adheres.
Conclusion: This is an initial research on this problem of significance for the doctors and it is about to be further examined
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