Development and Characterization of a New Antiadhesive and Antibacterial Coating Stragedy for Urogenital Catheters


Johannes Sitterberg1, H. Bakowsky2, C. Kneuer3, Ulrich Rothe2, and Udo Bakowsky1

1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Philipps-University, D-35037 Marburg, Germany,
2Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University, D-06097 Halle, Germany, and
3Institute for Pharmacology, University of Leipzig, Pharmacy and Toxicology, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany

e-mail: sitterbe@staff.uni-marburg.de

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Urogenital infections belong to the most common nosocomial infections, leading to significant morbidity and increased time in hospital. Latest operation techniques and hygienic standards can minimize the contamination of intracorporal parts of the catheter, but one major problem remains unsolved: the ability of some bacteria to grow on several materials, finally building up biofilms that spread and are difficult to treat. Furthermore, many of the bacterial strains found on catheter surfaces have acquired resistance to antibiotics and represent a hazardous germ reservoir. One potential method to protect catheter surfaces from bacterial colonization is their modification with thin films of anti-adhesive and antibacterial coatings.

The purpose of presented project is the development of an ultrathin antiadhesive film of tetraetherlipids, the major constituent of cell membranes of Thermoplasma acidiphilum, that is covalently bound to the material surface. Such sealant films form highly ordered impermeable and antiadhesive monolayers. Due to the chemical structure of the tetraetherlipids, they are resistant to hydrolytic, oxidative and other (bio)chemical attack. Therefore, they will be chemically stable in the urethral environment.

In addition, colloidal silver particles are integrated in this coating to inhibit expansion of residual bacteria into biofilms. The physicochemical and biological properties of the coatings will be examined by several methods including AFM and others.