Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2013 , Vol 23 , Num 3
Assessment of the Antimicrobial Effect of Propolis in Implant-Related Spinal Infections in Rats
Ömür GÜNALDI1, Lütfi POSTALCI1, Yusuf Kenan DAĞLIOĞLU2, Suna KIZILYILDIRIM3, Abuzer GÜNGÖR1, İlhan YILMAZ4, Metehan ESEOĞLU5, Bekir TUĞCU1
1Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Ruh Sağlığı ve Sinir Hastalıkları Hastanesi, Beyin Cerrahi Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Çukurova Üniversitesi, Deney Hayvanları Araştırma Merkezi, Adana, Türkiye
3Çukurova Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Adana, Türkiye
4Şişli Etfal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Beyin Cerrahi Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
5Yüzüncüyıl Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Beyin Cerrahi Kliniği, Van, Türkiye
AIM: Spinal implant-related infections play an important role during surgical procedures. A number of drugs and methods are used to prevent infections associated with implants. Bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects of propolis have been shown against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the most commonly isolated bacteria in implant-related infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of propolis as a natural and cheap product in a spinal implant infection model in rats.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Rats were divided into three groups as follows: Group-1: Only spinal implant, Group-2: Spinal implant with bacteria, and Group-3: Spinal implant with bacteria and propolis.

RESULTS: No bacterial growth was observed in any of the rats in Group-1. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from all rats in Group-2 and Group-3. Hypertrichosis was noted in Group-3. Groups were compared with each other. A statistically significant difference was found between Group-2 and Group-3 in the number of bacterial colonies growing.

CONCLUSION: Propolis limited the severity of infection but did not achieve complete control. More objective and promising results may possibly be obtained in different groups and with regular usage of propolis. We believe that propolis can also be effective on different strains of bacteria and other types of Staphylococcus aureus by creating different models. The increased hair growth effects of propolis might be promising for new studies on baldness. Anahtar Kelimeler : Implant, Infection, Propolis, Spine, Staphylococcus aureus, Rats