PREVENTION OF BIOFILM FORMATION ON NORFLOXACINMETRONIDAZOLE TREATED URETERAL LATEX STENTS

Biomaterial-associated bacterial infections present common and challenging complications with medical implants. The purpose of this study was to determine the antibacterial properties of latex rubber stents with integrated norfloxacin-metronidazole (synergistic antibacterial agent combinations) for the first time in order to prevent the colonization and biofilm formation on the surface of ureteral stents. Treating of latex rubber stents were carried out by adding the norfloxacin-metronidazole with the fresh latex during polymerization (polymerization method). Polymerization was facilitated by adding water and formic acid to the latexantibacterialagents solution mixture. The numbers of adhered bacteria on treated and untreated stents were calculated. Difference in the number of viable bacteria adhered on the surface of treated and untreated stentswere statistically calculated using chi square testing procedure with P < 0.05 considered significant. Tests for persistence were carried out using serial plate transfer method to determine withstanding ability of antibacterial agentss in the stents. A primary skin irritation test was performed on a laboratory animal to determine thehypersensitivity reaction of antibacterial agents treated latex rubber discs. Numbers of adhered bacteria on the surface of antibacterial agents treated and untreated stents were calculated. In the polymerization method, the number of adhered bacteria on the surface of treated stents was reduced to a significant level (P<0.05).Persistence test showed the antibacterial activity of antibacterial agents treated stents till 5 days for polymerization method. In primary skin irritation test no significant erythema and edema was detected over the skin of lab animal according to the standard skin irritation scoring.