University of Nottingham
Scientists have identified surface patterns that significantly reduce the ability of bacteria to multiply in plastics. This discovery can help prevent infections on medical devices such as catheters.
A new one, published in Nature This month, it revealed that when bacterial cells come into contact with surfaces with standard grooveslose the ability to form biofilms.
By preventing biofilm formation, it is possible to lock infections before they settle, and encourage the immune system to eliminate remaining bacteria.
“Previous investigations have shown that introducing antibiotics on medical devices has flaws, such as promoting the development of antibiotic resistance. Our study was further: we wanted to know if we could create a simple ‘landscape’ in a catheter – made of the same material – that bacteria would not like and where they could not form biofilms,” says researcher Paul Williams to
Scientists have tested different species of bacteria in more than 2000 different forms, studying drawings produced in various plastics, including polyurethane, a material commonly used on medical devices.
“We had to resort to automatic learning to find out the most effective forms in preventing biofilm formation. Then we analyzed why certain bacteria didn’t like this surface,” he says.
And assures: “Our cOncolusions can help reduce the high number of infections in hospital environments associated with medical devices. This method can not only prevent the adhesion of bacteria, but also activate the immune system to destroy the bacteria that can still adhere to. ”
The co-author of the Morgan Alexander study also explains that “using physically standardized surfaces has the advantage, in relation to coatings, to be applied to existing materials, reducing the obstacle to its commercial application. This discovery can represent significant savings for NHS.”
