[Silicon sponge: ultrastructural examinations in chronic infection (author's transl)]

Abstract

Ultrastructural examinations of a silastic sponge implant (which was removed with the clinical diagnosis rejection against the silicon material) revealed massive infiltration of so called apothogenic bacteria and macrophages. The results of this examination support the idea that in most of the cases with symptoms of inflammation, there is not a rejection against the sponge material itself but acute or chronic bacterial infection. In the bradytrophic area of the sponge socalled apathogenic bacteria may grow and lead to considerable reactions, because antibodies are decreased.