Binding Antibacterial Coatings to Devices Could Help Reduce Biofilm Formation

In response to the reimbursement crackdown on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and the rise of the Superbug, an urgent need has arisen for antimicrobial or antibacterial agents that help to battle bacteria and biofilm formation. Among the latest contributions to this field is a binding technique to facilitate better attachment of antibacterial coatings to device surfaces.

Noting that antibacterial materials often do not adhere well to device surfaces, a research team from the University of South Australia has begun investigating binding techniques that yield a stronger bond between the antibacterial coating and the implant's surface.  At the core of the various techniques is the application of an ultrathin plasma polymer coating that acts as a binding scaffold. The researchers then bind materials to the scaffold designed to prevent bacterial attachment, to prohibit cell multiplication once attached to the device, or to interfere with the attachment mechanism of the bacterial cell.

"We believe that no solution will be universal, so we want to establish an array of approaches," says Hans Griesser of the University of South Australia. "The new diterpene compounds that we are testing are structurally quite different from established antibacterial compounds, and they are effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. That is what got us excited about them."

The researchers presented their findings this week at the AVS International Symposium & Exhibition.