Robust UV-Curable Antimicrobial Polymeric Coatings for Medical Plastics Prepared by Controlled Radical Polymerization

Rachel L Shum

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14662059.v1

Abstract

In response to hospital acquired infections stemming from biofilms and the impending antibiotic resistance crisis, the development of non-traditional, non-leachable antimicrobials have gained significant traction. Contact-active antimicrobial coatings physically attached to surfaces with cationic active sites, such as ammonium and phosphonium, are of particular interest in the prevention of pathogenic bacterial transfer. Previously reported antimicrobial coatings are found to be susceptible to abrasion, significantly limiting their potential applications. In this work, a range of robust, antimicrobial polymeric coatings synthesized by control radical polymerization are presented. Polymeric thin film coatings possessing cationic groups with n-alkyl substituents of n ≤ 4 demonstrated antimicrobial properties against gram-positive bacteria, while species containing bulkier substituents were biologically inactive, contradictory of previously reported monomeric coatings. Cationic polymeric brush coatings were found to have a higher antibacterial activity against the gram-positive model compared to its non-brush equivalent, but failed against the gram-negative model. These polymeric thin films demonstrate the complexity of antimicrobial coating designs and facilitates the investigation into the architecture of these coatings.

Highlights

Microbial aggregates in which bacterial cells are embedded within a self-produced exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix promote cell cohesion and adhesion to surfaces.1,2 These biofilms form distinct microenvironments and complex structures that facilitate microbial proliferation as well as protect bacteria from environmental stresses, antibiotics, and disinfection
The CH2 signal of monomer 1 appears at 5.13 ppm, more downfield than the CH2 of the Vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) starting material, 4.59 ppm, suggesting that the benzophenone substituent is more electron withdrawing than the chlorine group
In this work, a range of quaternary ammonium and phosphonium random block copolymer were synthesized for thin film polymer coatings

Summary

Introduction

Microbial aggregates in which bacterial cells are embedded within a self-produced exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix promote cell cohesion and adhesion to surfaces. These biofilms form distinct microenvironments and complex structures that facilitate microbial proliferation as well as protect bacteria from environmental stresses, antibiotics, and disinfection. Microbial aggregates in which bacterial cells are embedded within a self-produced exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix promote cell cohesion and adhesion to surfaces.. Microbial aggregates in which bacterial cells are embedded within a self-produced exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix promote cell cohesion and adhesion to surfaces.1,2 These biofilms form distinct microenvironments and complex structures that facilitate microbial proliferation as well as protect bacteria from environmental stresses, antibiotics, and disinfection. Over 200,000 Canadians acquire an HAI resulting in 8,000 deaths.5 Of these infections, 50 % are resistant to at least one type of antibiotic.. At the current rate of antibiotic resistance progression, it is expected to cost up to $100 trillion dollars and result in 50 million deaths per year by 2050.9 In hopes of countering HAIs and the looming antibiotic resistance crisis, the development of nontraditional, non-leachable antimicrobials have gained traction. Biofilms and the pathogenic bacteria they house have been found to be implicated in a high percentage of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), annually affecting hundreds of millions of patients worldwide. Each year, over 200,000 Canadians acquire an HAI resulting in 8,000 deaths. Of these infections, 50 % are resistant to at least one type of antibiotic. The overprescription of antibiotics in livestock and by healthcare professionals alike have accelerated the development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, making antibiotic resistance one of most prevalent public health concerns in modern medicine. At the current rate of antibiotic resistance progression, it is expected to cost up to $100 trillion dollars and result in 50 million deaths per year by 2050.9 In hopes of countering HAIs and the looming antibiotic resistance crisis, the development of nontraditional, non-leachable antimicrobials have gained traction.

Methods

Results

Conclusion