Antibacterial properties of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive: Does the polymerization reaction play a role?

Abstract

Purpose:To ascertain if the polymerization reaction also contributes additionally to the antibacterial effects of two commonly used cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives.Materials and Methods:Fresh liquid ethyl-cyanoacrylate (EC) and N-butyl-cyanoacrylate (BC) adhesives were applied onto 6-mm sterile filter paper discs. In the first group, the adhesive-soaked discs were immediately placed onto confluent monolayer cultures of bacteria, allowing the polymerization reaction to proceed while in culture. In the second group, the adhesive-soaked disc was allowed to first polymerize prior to being placed onto the bacterial cultures. Four types of bacteria were studied: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Immediately after the discs were applied, the cultures were incubated at 35° C for 24 h. Bacterial inhibitory halos were measured in the cultures at the end of the incubation period.Results:For EC, exposure of the bacteria to the cyanoacrylate polymerization reaction increased the bacterial inhibitory halos in Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. For BC, it increased the bacterial inhibitory halos in Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. No inhibitory halos were observed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bactericidal effect was higher in actively polymerizing EC, compared to previously polymerized EC in Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli; however, no such differences were observed for BC.Conclusions:The polymerization reaction may also be an important factor in the antibacterial properties of EC and BC.

1-Hexyl-2-cyanoacrylate compound (Neucrylate) bactericidal properties

“…This finding supports the fact that Neucrylate is bactericidal. Similar results were observed in the past by others utilizing different cyanoacrylate preparations 14 15 29 31…”

“…Although bacteria often develop resistance to antibacterial actions, the membrane action rarely does so, the surface defining the result, a distinction that has been correlated to the gram stain of the bacteria. Interestingly, antibacterial results using shorter chain cyanoacrylates were previously reported but we suspect the true molecular mechanism of the activity has not been established 29 30…”

Non‐suture technique for rabbit oviduct anastomosis with 2‐octyl cyanoacrylate: A histopathologic and biomechanical analysis

“…Therefore, we infer that OCA can avoid excessive tissue damage of oviduct either in the short-or longterm period after oviduct anastomosis, which was consistent with Ong's results. 5 Part of the reason may be attributable to antimicrobial activities of OCA as reported before; 24,25 another reason may be less foreignbody reaction, 12 suggesting that OCA is more suitable for fallopian tubal anastomosis than traditional catgut suture.…”

Use of 2‐Octyl cyanoacrylate in Cartilage Interposition Adherence During Ossiculoplasty

“…In fact, the antimicrobial properties of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives have been well‐documented and promoted in the ophthalmology literature for treatment of corneal ulcers . Antibacterial properties appear to be bactericidal and more robust for gram‐positive organisms than gram‐negative organisms, which are encapsulated by an outer carbohydrate membrane …”