Material and design in haematogenous implant-associated infections in a rabbit model.

We used 111 rabbits to study the susceptibility to intravenously injected bacteria of conventional stainless steel plates, and titanium plates of either traditional design or of the PC-FIX concept, that is less traumatic to bone. After plating, the animals were given between 1 x 10(8) and 2 x 10(9) colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus Wood 46 intravenously. Significant differences in infection rates (positive cultures) were found between conventional stainless steel plates (36-67% infected, depending on inoculum size) and titanium PC-FIX plates (6-7% infected). In fact, the infection rate at the PC-FIX plate did not differ from sham operated animals. Since conventionally designed titanium plates had an intermediate infection rate, it appears that design and material both are important for the risk of infection.