EFFECT OF 3 PLASTIC CATHETERS ON SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA

The effect of Polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU) and siliconized latex (SL) catheters on the survival and growth of six non-mucoid and three mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1 × 108) was incubated in PBS alone (control) or with 30 1-cm length segments of each catheter and the number of viable microorganisms was determined after 8 h, 1, 2, 5, 7 and 10 days. The presence of PVC catheters significantly favoured the survival and growth of non-mucoid strains in comparison to the control (P < 0·05 at 5 days, P < 0·01 at 7 days and thereafter); a similar result was observed with SL catheters (P < 0·05 at 2 days, P < 0·01 at 5 days and thereafter). No differences were observed with PU catheters. The number of mucoid microorganisms decreased with time in all controls and suspensions containing segments of catheter, but non-mucoid revertants appeared and quickly increased in the presence of PVC and SL (but not PU) catheters. Eluates of PBS previously containing PVC or SL segments induced a 100- to 500-fold increase in the growth of a non-mucoid strain in comparison with PBS alone. It is concluded that some plastic catheters can release substance(s) that favour the viability of P. aeruginosa. © 1990.