Gold-Silver Nanoshell-Embedded Polydimethylsiloxane Films for Near-Infrared Photothermal Eradication of Bacteria

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Disease Research

Background:

• Catheter-related infections (CRIs) are a major patient safety concern.
• Developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for CRIs is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a photothermal system for rapid eradication of *Enterococcus faecalis* (a common pathogen in CRIs).
• To utilize gold-silver nanoshells (AuAgNShs) modified onto catheter surfaces for enhanced efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of AuAgNShs using SEM, TEM, EDX, and XPS.
• Evaluation of optical and photothermal properties via UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and IR thermography.
• Assessment of bacterial killing efficacy using colony-formation assays on modified surfaces with and without NIR irradiation.

Main Results:

• AuAgNSh-modified surfaces demonstrated effective killing of *E. faecalis* within 10 minutes of NIR irradiation.
• The developed system is stable and reusable over multiple cycles.
• The photothermal system showed potential as a rapid, localized adjunct to traditional antibiotic therapies.

Conclusions:

• The NIR-activated photothermal system using AuAgNSh-modified catheters offers a promising strategy for combating CRIs.
• This hyperthermia technique can act as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, rapidly eliminating adhered pathogens.
• The system has the potential to significantly improve patient safety by reducing the burden of CRIs.