Daylight Bactericidal Titania Textiles: A Contribution to Nosocomial Infections Control.

Joana C Matos,Cláudia Oliveira,M Clara Gonçalves

doi:10.3390/molecules24101891

Joana C Matos, Cláudia Oliveira + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24101891

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Abstract

Daylight bactericidal cotton (100% cotton) textiles are presented and proposed for future hospital use. Amorphous titania (a-TiO2) and amorphous titania/chitosan complexes (a-TiO2//CS) were the selected bactericidal agents. Nanoparticles (NPs) and films were the two paths designed. Cotton textiles were impregnated with a-TiO2-based NPs or coated with a-TiO2 films. Industrial impregnation/coating will be implemented during the textile finishing treatments. A novel (room temperature and base-catalyzed), green (hydrothermal water as a catalyst), time-saving, and easy scale-up sol–gel process was established to produce the a-TiO2-based NPs. Amorphous-TiO2 films were produced by a dip-in (acid catalyzed) sol–gel solution. The daylight bactericidal performance (without the need of an external ultraviolet light source) of a-TiO2 NPs, films, and impregnated/coated textiles was proven according to AATCC 100 and ASTM E2149, using Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC®6538TM) as the bacterial indicator strain. A bacterial reduction of 99.97% was achieved for the a-TiO2 films and of 99.97% for the a-TiO2//CS NPs. Regarding the impregnated textiles, a bacterial reduction of 91.66% was achieved with a-TiO2//CS NPs, and 99.97% for cotton textiles coated with an a-TiO2 film.

Highlights

Nosocomial infections, otherwise known as healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), occur worldwide both in developed and developing countries, affecting approximately 8.7% of all hospitalized patients (7% in developed and 10% in developing countries), which causes prolonged hospital stay, disability, and unacceptable costs to healthcare economies [1]
In order to impart them with bactericidal activity, different approaches have been purposed [4], as follows: (i) the inclusion of antimicrobial compounds in the polymeric fibers, (ii) grafting of certain moieties onto the polymer surface, or (iii) physical modification of the textile during finishing processes—the route adopted in the present work
Amine groups were used as the bonding strategy between a-TiO2 NPs and cotton textiles [34]

Summary

Introduction

Nosocomial infections, otherwise known as healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), occur worldwide both in developed and developing countries, affecting approximately 8.7% of all hospitalized patients (7% in developed and 10% in developing countries), which causes prolonged hospital stay, disability, and unacceptable costs to healthcare economies [1]. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), three million cases of nosocomial infections occur annually, 50,000 of which are fatal [2]; its control is a worldwide health priority [1,2,3]. The growth of bacterial resistance is rendering antimicrobial agents less effective, while nosocomial pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) contaminate the surfaces and equipment handled by hospital staff, with hospital textiles being an important source of cross infections. In order to impart them with bactericidal activity, different approaches have been purposed [4], as follows: (i) the inclusion of antimicrobial compounds in the polymeric fibers, (ii) grafting of certain moieties onto the polymer surface, or (iii) physical modification of the textile during finishing processes—the route adopted in the present work.

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