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Published on: November 5, 2016
Single Step Plasma Process for Covalent Binding of Antimicrobial Peptides on Catheters To Suppress Bacterial Adhesion
Clara Tran1, Muhammad Yasir2, Debarun Dutta2,3
1School of Physics, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
Abstract:
Catheter-associated biofilms are responsible for a large fraction of hospital acquired infections. Antimicrobial surface coating on catheters providing prevention at source is extensively studied to reduce bacterial adhesion. Antimicrobial peptides such as melimine and Mel4, covalently linked to surfaces, have shown excellent potential in animal and human studies to suppress infection without toxicity. Covalent binding of the peptides on catheter surfaces improves efficacy but so far has been implemented using multistep wet chemical coupling that will impede widespread adoption. Here we demonstrate plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) as a single step treatment that covalently couples antimicrobial peptides to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Strong antimicrobial activity was demonstrated by higher than 3 log kill of S. aureus. A variant of the process was demonstrated as an antimicrobial treatment for chemically inert glass surfaces. Covalent coupling was rigorously tested by stringent SDS washing. We further demonstrated that the plasma treatment can effectively functionalize both internal and external surfaces of catheter tubing, reducing 99% of bacterial adhesion. The process is feasible as a patient-safe treatment for treating various types of catheters and is suitable for commercial mass production. In a logical extension of the work, the process could be adapted to bone replacement scaffolds of all types including metallic, polymeric, and ceramic.
Insights
Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) offers a single-step method to covalently attach antimicrobial peptides to catheters, significantly reducing bacterial adhesion and hospital-acquired infections. This patient-safe, scalable technology shows promise for medical devices and bone scaffolds.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Catheter-associated biofilms cause significant hospital-acquired infections.
- Antimicrobial surface coatings reduce bacterial adhesion but often require complex multi-step processes.
- Covalent peptide-surface linkages enhance antimicrobial efficacy but are challenging to implement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a single-step plasma-based method for covalently immobilizing antimicrobial peptides onto catheter surfaces.
- To evaluate the efficacy of this method in reducing bacterial adhesion and preventing infections.
- To assess the scalability and patient-safety of the developed treatment.
Main Methods:
- Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) was used to covalently couple antimicrobial peptides (melimine, Mel4) to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and glass surfaces.
- Antimicrobial activity was assessed against *S. aureus* using log kill measurements.
- Bacterial adhesion was quantified on functionalized catheter tubing (internal and external surfaces).
- SDS washing was employed to confirm robust covalent coupling.
Main Results:
- PIII achieved robust covalent coupling of antimicrobial peptides, validated by SDS washing.
- The treatment demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity, achieving >3 log kill of *S. aureus*.
- A 99% reduction in bacterial adhesion was observed on functionalized catheter tubing.
- The process was effective on both PVC and chemically inert glass surfaces.
Conclusions:
- PIII provides an efficient, single-step method for covalently immobilizing antimicrobial peptides on medical device surfaces.
- This technology offers a scalable, patient-safe approach to combat catheter-associated infections.
- The adaptable PIII process holds potential for treating various catheters and bone replacement scaffolds.
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