Reduction of microbial adhesion on polyurethane by a sub-nanometer covalently-attached surface modifier

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Infectious Disease Prevention
• Medical Device Engineering

Background:

• Indwelling urinary catheters are essential for urinary retention but frequently cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Catheter-associated UTIs lead to severe complications and increased healthcare costs.
• Reducing UTI rates through catheter surface modification is an active research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, effective anti-fouling coating for polyurethane urinary catheters.
• To assess the efficacy of a monoethylene glycol hydroxide (MEG-OH) layer in preventing pathogen adhesion.

Main Methods:

• Covalently attaching a monoethylene glycol hydroxide (MEG-OH) layer to polyurethane catheter material.
• Exposing modified and bare polyurethane tubing to various pathogens (Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, fungus).
• Quantifying pathogen adhesion and surface fouling after different exposure times and sterilization methods.

Main Results:

• The MEG-OH coated polyurethane showed significant reductions in pathogen adhesion, ranging from 85% to 96% after 24 hours.
• Effective fouling reduction was maintained after autoclave sterilization and prolonged storage.
• The anti-fouling properties remained robust for up to 3 days of exposure.

Conclusions:

• Covalently bound MEG-OH monolayers provide a robust and effective anti-fouling surface for polyurethane urinary catheters.
• This modification shows promise in significantly reducing catheter-associated UTIs.
• The developed coating is a cost-effective strategy for improving urinary catheter safety.