Antibacterial and Antifouling Polymer Coatings for Prevention of Catheter-associated Infections

Abstract

Catheter-associated infections (CAIs) remain the most common nosocomial infections. Antibacterial and antifouling coatings are two promising strategies to prevent bacterial biofilm formation on catheter surfaces and subsequent CAIs. In this study, novel polymer coatings by combining antibacterial polycation, antifouling polyethylene glycol (PEG) and adhesive dopamine/polydopamine were designed and optimized to provide bactericidal and nonfouling coatings on surfaces of catheter materials. These polymer coatings prepared by facile approaches exhibited excellent antibacterial and antifouling activities against bacteria commonly found in CAIs, and great stability in simulated blood flow condition with good hemocompatibility. In addition, coating mechanisms and the effects of each component on antibacterial and antifouling activities were studied, which could provide insight into functional copolymer coatings with adhesive dopamine. In summary, these polymer coatings with antibacterial, antifouling and adhesive moieties hold great potential as anti-infective coatings for the prevention of catheter-associated infections.