Copolymer could keep catheters bacteria-free

Abstract

Urinary tract catheters are widely used in hospitalized patients, but they often lead to bacterial infections. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are responsible for about $1.7 billion in annual medical costs in the US alone, according to a 2018 review ( Am. J. Infect. Control , DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.01.015) . Researchers have now developed a biocompatible copolymer that could prevent bacteria from colonizing catheters and spreading into patients ( Sci. Adv. 2023, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add7474 ). Andrew L. Hook of the University of Nottingham and his colleagues screened about 400 acrylate polymers and found that poly( tert -butylcyclohexyl acrylate) stopped common bacteria from forming biofilms and prevented a buildup of biomineral crystals that can block catheters when tested in the lab. Meanwhile, poly(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate) inhibited the swarming behavior that allows some bacteria to spread along the catheter to infect patients. The researchers united these two polymers into a copolymer, fine-tuning the proportions to