The efficacy of antifungal agents incorporated into a facial prosthetic silicone elastomer

Abstract

Microbiologic isolation techniques and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine whether a fungus is associated with the black discoloration of some silicone nasal prostheses. Colonies of fungal growth were seen on scanning electron micrographs of the affected areas of a nasal prosthesis, and a fungus belonging to the genus Penicillium was isolated from similar areas. Disk diffusion tests determined that the antifungal agent clotrimazole, when incorporated into silicone samples, was effective in inhibiting in vitro growth of the fungus.