Development of antifungal albumin-based films for use as catheter dressing

The fungal infection caused by Candida albicans in central venous catheters is severe, and patient survival is strongly linked to early source control of the medical devices. To mitigate this problem, egg albumin-based films containing clioquinol were produced through a casting method to develop an antifungal barrier for catheters. To enhance the films' mechanical properties, glycerol was added as a plasticizer. The development of albumin-based films was optimized. Thermogravimetric, FTIR-ATR, AFM, adhesiveness and mechanical analyses were performed. In addition, antimicrobial activity was investigated. Irritability assay and histopathological evaluation were also conduct. The results demonstrated that incorporating 3.0% glycerol into the albumin films significantly enhanced their mechanical properties, providing ideal characteristics for use as catheter dressings. All albumin-based films with 3.0% glycerol and with or without clioquinol exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against C. albicans. Moreover, these films exhibited moderate adhesion to skin and showed no irritating or damage potential, making them biocompatible and safe for application on skin. These findings suggest that albumin-based films are promising candidates for effective and environmentally friendly catheter dressings that prevent C. albicans infections.