Effect of ion-bombarded silicone tympanostomy tube on ciprofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation

Objectives: Many materials and surface preparations have been developed to resist the formation of biofilm. Ion-bombarded silicone tympanostomy tube was introduced to resist both staphylococcal and pseudomonal biofilm formation. To date, there are no reports that have evaluated the use of ion-bombarded tympanostomy tubes against the ciprofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) biofilm formation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ion-bombarded tympanostomy tube for CRPA biofilm resistance. Methods: Commercial ion-bombarded tympanostomy tubes and simple silicone tympanostomy tubes were processed for an evaluation of the CRPA biofilm formation in vitro. Results: The ion-bombarded tubes showed no resistance to CRPA adhesion and biofilm formation. Thick and dense conglomeration was less formed in the ion-bombarded tympanostomy tubes, compared to that of the simple silicone tube. Conclusion: The preventive effect against the CRPA biofilm formation of the ion-bombarded silicone tympanostomy tube was not observed. Our result suggests that only the surface modification by an ion bombardment is not enough to resist CRPA biofilm formation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.