Evaluation of the influence of temperature on the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus in simulated organ perfusion in a ceramic model

• Grant number: 20/08750-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2020
• End date: May 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Cristina Kurachi
• Grantee: Marco Túlio de Freitas Reis
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Annually the number of patients waiting for a kidney transplant grows at a rate greater than the number of organs available. This disparity emphasizes the importance of maximum use of the donated organs. However, part of the organs originally destined for transplantation is discarded due to low quality and/or infection. Recent studies carried out by our research group CEPOF (from portuguese, Centro de Pesquisa em Óptica e Fotônica - CEPOF) has been using photonic technologies to decontaminate the preservation solution during an organ perfusion. However, some results showed that the perfusion used in the protocols, despite decontaminating the liquid, is ineffective in removing microorganisms present in the organ. The objective was to investigate techniques for removing these microorganisms, the project today propose the study of the influence of temperature and the flow of the circulation liquid on the adhesion of S aureus bacteria. A ceramic model with adhered bacteria will be exposed to cycles of liquids with different temperatures already used in the preservation of organs. Based on the parameters already established for organ perfusion, the effects of the flow of liquid circulating in the system will also be investigated.