B307: A multifunctional polymer coating for eradication of catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Research output: Contribution to conferencePosterpeer-review

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common hospital-acquired infections worldwide, affecting over 150 million people annually and placing substantial burdens on healthcare systems. The treatment of CAUTIs is becoming increasingly challenging due to the rise of
antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens. While a few anti-infection catheters are in clinical use, no current technology can provide long-term (>30 days) infection control. The root cause lies in the complex pathogenesis of CAUTIs, which involves a cascade of events, including inflammation-induced host protein deposition, bacterial swarming migration, biofilm formation, and encrustation. Traditional strategies to combat CAUTIs focus on pathogen elimination or preventing attachment, but an ideal catheter addressing all pathogenesis-related factors remains undeveloped. In this research, we developed a range of coatings to target the entire pathogenesis process of CAUTIs, combining superrepellent polymer brushes (SPB), anti-swarming inhibitors (ASI), and antimicrobial nanozymes (ANZ). Results showed that SPB and ASI copolymerized at a 1:1.6 molar ratio retained a slippery, liquid-like coating that effectively inhibited trauma-induced inflammation, protein deposition, and Proteus
mirabilis adhesion and migration. TiO₂-based ANZs demonstrated a two-fold reduction in MIC/MBC against Proteus mirabilis compared to nitrofurantoin and showed no AMR within 28 days. Coatings combining SPB, ASI, and ANZ at a 1:1.6:2.1 molar ratio exhibited potent antibiofilm activity, reducing biomass accumulation by over 99.9% after seven days compared to commercial antimicrobial catheters. This study presents a new design paradigm for next-generation anti-infection surfaces.
Original languageEnglish
Pages527
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2025
EventMicrobiology Society Annual Conference 2025 - Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Duration: 31 Mar 202503 Apr 2025
https://microbiologysociety.org/event/annual-conference/annual-conference-2025.html#tab-1

Conference

ConferenceMicrobiology Society Annual Conference 2025
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLiverpool
Period31/03/202503/04/2025
Internet address

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