Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of cationic polyethylenimines on dry surfaces

The antimicrobial activity of cationic N-dodecyl-N-methylpolyethylenimine (PEI+) against S. aureus, A. baumannii, and E. coli was evaluated when the polymer was applied as a coating to various surfaces using a paint-like procedure. Antimicrobial activity of PEI+ as a function of time was determined using an assay for long-term survival involving placement of single drops of various bacterial concentrations on dry surfaces. These data were compared with an assay method where bacteria were applied by spraying and surfaces were incubated overnight under agar. PEI+-coated surfaces were found to be highly bactericidal after 30 min when bacteria were sprayed onto surfaces. However, when bacteria were applied as single drops, PEI+-coated surfaces were less biocidal at short contact times particularly for A. baumannii and E. coli. The observations are explained in the context of the difference in drying time between drops deposited on uncoated surfaces and PEI+-coated surfaces and the sensitivity of bacterial survival to dehydration. These results demonstrate that PEI+-coated surfaces are not effectively biocidal for some types of bacteria under certain conditions and that the method of assaying bactericidal efficiency can greatly affect the results obtained.