Inhibition of uropathogenic biofilm growth on silicone rubber in human urine by lactobacilli - A teleologic approach

Authors

James D. Watterson, The University of Western Ontario
Peter A. Cadieux, The University of Western Ontario
Darren T. Beiko, The University of Western Ontario
Anthony J. Cook, The University of Western Ontario
Jeremy P. Burton, The University of Western Ontario
Robert R. Harbottle, The University of Western Ontario
Clarence Lee, The University of Western Ontario
Elaine Rowe, The University of Western Ontario
Harmeet Sidhu, Ixion Biotechnology, Inc.
Gregor Reid, The University of Western Ontario
John D. Denstedt, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Journal

Journal of Endourology

Volume

17

Issue

5

First Page

269

Last Page

274

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1089/089277903322145431

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The long-term placement of biomaterials within the urinary tract is limited by the development of encrustation. In a noninfected urinary environment, encrustation often results from the deposition of calcium oxalate on the biomaterial surface. There is an association between the absence of Oxalobacter formigenes, a commensal colonic bacterium capable of degrading oxalate, and calcium oxalate stone formation. This pilot study was designed to evaluate several oxalate-degrading enzymes produced by O. formigenes as a potential biomaterial coating to reduce urinary tract encrustation. Materials and Methods: Circular silicone disks of 6-mm diameter were incubated for 48 hours in oxalylcoenzyme A decarboxylase (OXC), formyl-coenzyme A transferase (FRC), and coenzyme A, while control disks were incubated in distilled water. The adsorption of OXC and FRC was assessed using enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Coated and uncoated disks (20 of each) were implanted in the bladders of 40 female New Zealand White rabbits. After 30 days, the disks were recovered, and the degree of encrustation on the polymer surface was evaluated utilizing dry weight measurement, calcium atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX). Results: Both ECL and AFM demonstrated coating of the silicone disks with OXC and FRC. The mean dry weights of the coated and control disks following explantation were 0.591 ± 0.438 g and 0.747 ± 0.428 g, respectively (P = 0.307). The mean weight of calcium on the coated and control disks, as determined by AAS, was 154.1 ± 96.25 mg and 258 ± 181.35 mg, respectively (P = 0.008). Conclusions: The use of oxalate-degrading enzymes from O. formigenes to coat urinary biomaterials represents a novel paradigm to reduce biomaterial-related encrustation. Coating of silicone with oxalate-degrading enzymes from O. formigenes results in a modest reduction in encrustation with no apparent toxicity. Further studies are warranted.