In-vitro efficacy of an antibiotic releasing silicone ventricle catheter to prevent shunt infection.

Infection due to implanted polymeric devices is a major problem in modern medicine. Microbial colonization of implants in neurosurgery, e.g. cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts is the main reason for their failure, and often results in the consequent removal of the infected implants. In this paper we report on new approaches in the prevention of bacterial infections by incorporation of an antibiotic (rifampicin) into the polymer devices (silicone). Drug release characteristics are investigated, and the physico-chemical mechanism of the delivery is discussed. Measurements of killing kinetics and the bacterial adhesion to the antibiotic-loaded silicone in a static adhesion assay reveal that only the liberation of high antibiotic doses over a period of weeks can prevent the bacterial colonization of the polymeric surface.