We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Hydrogel-Based Spray Kills Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Wounds and Biomedical Implants

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Jan 2023
Print article
Image: New spray fights infections and antibiotic resistance (Photo courtesy of Chalmers University of Technology)
Image: New spray fights infections and antibiotic resistance (Photo courtesy of Chalmers University of Technology)

Antibiotic resistance has been ranked among the top ten threats to global health by the World Health Organization (WHO). Antibiotic-resistant bacteria is estimated to cause almost 1.3 million deaths annually across the world. Hence, there is a great need for new solutions to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reduce the use of antibiotics. Infections are a major problem for treatments in which materials like implants and catheters are inserted into the patient’s body. This makes it vital to develop new antibacterial biomaterials that can treat, replace or modify organs, tissue or functions in a biological body. Now, a group of researchers is developing a new spray that can kill even antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and can be used for wound care as well as directly on implants and other medical devices.

In an effort to slow down the spread and development of drug resistance, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg, Sweden) are developing a new antibacterial material for use in healthcare settings that can become an effective tool against antibiotic resistance. The material consists of small hydrogel particles that are equipped with a type of peptide that effectively kills and binds bacteria. Attaching the peptides to the particles creates a protective environment and increases their stability, allowing them to work with body fluids such as blood, which otherwise inactivates the peptides and make them difficult to use in healthcare settings.

In previous studies, the researchers had shown how the peptides can be used for wound care materials like wound dressings. Now, in two of their latest studies, the team has shown that the bactericidal material can be used both in the form of a wound spray and as a coating on medical devices implanted in the body. For both the spray and the coating, the researchers measured the bactericidal effect of the materials and found that it can last for up to 48 hours in contact with body fluids and for as long as a few years without contact with body fluids. The researchers also found that the material can kill 99.99% of the bacteria, enabling a wide range of clinical applications. Since the usage of urinary catheters is one of the primary causes of hospital-acquired infection, the researchers tested the coating on silicone materials used for catheters, although it can be also used on other biomaterials. Being non-toxic, the material can also be used directly on or in the body for preventing or curing an infection without any adverse impact on the natural healing process.

“Our innovation can have a dual impact in the fight against antibiotic resistance. The material has been shown to be effective against many different types of bacteria, including those that are resistant to antibiotics, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), while also having the potential to prevent infections and thus reduce the need for antibiotics,” said Martin Andersson, head of research for the study and Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers.

“The substance in this wound spray is completely non-toxic and does not affect human cells. Unlike existing bactericidal sprays, it does not inhibit the body’s healing process. The materials, which are simply sprayed onto the wound, can also kill the bacteria in a shorter time,” explained Edvin Blomstrand, PhD student at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers.

“Although the catheters are sterile when unpacked, they can become contaminated with bacteria while they are being introduced into the body, which can lead to infection. One major advantage of this coating is that the bacteria are killed as soon as they come into contact with the surface. Another is that it can be applied to existing products that are already used in healthcare, so it is not necessary to produce new ones,” added Annija Stepulane, PhD student at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers.

Related Links:
Chalmers University of Technology 

Gold Member
POC Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile Prime Plus
Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer
Aerogen Solo

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The living replacement knee will be tested in clinical trials within five years (Photo courtesy of ARPA-H)

Living Knee Replacement to Revolutionize Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis, characterized by the progressive deterioration of cartilage, or the protective tissue covering the bone ends, resulting in pain, stiffness, and impaired... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.