Factors Affecting Bacterial Adhesion on Selected Textile Fibres

Area of Science:

• Textile science and microbiology
• Biomaterials and surface science

Background:

• Fabrics are implicated in the transmission of healthcare-associated infections.
• A lack of correlation data exists between fiber types and microbial interactions, hindering hygiene guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate bacterial adherence on various textile fibers.
• To correlate fiber surface properties with microbial attachment for hygiene applications.

Main Methods:

• Studied adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on polyester, wool, polypropylene, viscose, silk, and cotton fibers.
• Analyzed bacterial adhesion in relation to fiber surface characteristics (charge, hydrophobicity) and nanoroughness.
• Utilized scanning electron microscopy for visualizing bacterial binding.

Main Results:

• Viscose fibers demonstrated the highest bacterial adherence, while silk fibers showed the least.
• Bacterial adhesion correlated with fiber nanoroughness, with rougher surfaces promoting attachment.
• Escherichia coli, exhibiting lower hydrophobicity and higher surface energy, had minimal adherence across all fiber types.

Conclusions:

• Fiber surface properties and nanoroughness significantly influence bacterial adhesion.
• Understanding these interactions is vital for developing effective textile guidelines in healthcare and hospitality sectors.