Anti-microbial coating innovations to prevent infectious diseases (AMiCI): Cost action ca15114

Abstract

Worldwide, millions of patients are affected annually by healthcare-associated infection (HCAI), impacting up to 80,000 patients in European Hospitals on any given day. This represents not only public health risk, but also an economic burden.Complementing routine hand hygiene practices, cleaning and disinfection, antimicrobial coatings hold promise based, in essence, on the application of materials and chemicals with persistent bactericidal or –static properties onto surfaces or in textiles used in healthcare environments.The focus of considerable commercial investment and academic research energies, such antimicrobial coating-based approaches are widely believed to have potential in reduction of microbial numbers on surfaces in clinical settings. This belief exists despite definitive evidence as to their efficacy and is based somewhat on positive studies involving, for example, copper, silver or gold ions, titanium or organosilane, albeit under laboratory conditions. The literature describes successful delay and/or prevention of recontamination following conventional cleaning and disinfection by problematic microbes such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE), among others. However, there is a scarcity of studies assessing antimicrobial surfaces other than copper in the clinical environment, and a complete lack of published data regarding the successful implementation of these materials on clinically significant outcomes (including HCAI).Through its Cooperation in Science and Technology program (COST), the European Commission has funded a 4-year initiative to establish a network of stakeholders involved in development, regulation and use of novel anti-microbial coatings for prevention of HCAI. The network (AMiCI) comprises participants of more than 60 universities, research institutes and companies across 29 European countries and, to-date, represents the most comprehensive consortium targeting use of these emergent technologies in healthcare settings.More specifically, the network will prioritise coordinated research on the effects (both positive and negative) of antimicrobial coatings in healthcare sectors; know-how regarding availability and mechanisms of action of (nano)-coatings; possible adverse effects of such materials (e.g., potential emergence of microbial resistance or emission of toxic agents into the environment); standardised performance assessments for antimicrobial coatings; identification and dissemination of best practices by hospitals, other clinical facilities, regulators and manufacturers.

Reduction of bacterial adhesion on titanium-doped diamond-like carbon coatings

“…The high incidence of infections caused by the use of metallic biomedical implants and devices, including bone fracture fixation pins and hip and knee replacement, has a severe impact on human health and health care costs (Bociaga et al 2015;Percival et al 2015;Ceroni et al 2016;Dunne et al 2017). Prevention of bacterial adhesion on the surfaces of medical devices will have a major impact in preventing medical device-related infections.…”

“…The incorporation of Si, F, N or Ag into DLC reduced bacterial adhesion (Liu et al 2008;Marciano et al 2010;Su et al 2010;Cloutier et al 2016). Moreover, Ti coatings improved the antibacterial property (Dunne et al 2017). Recently, the incorporation of Ti into DLC has been shown to be an effective method to improve tribological properties (Bayóna et al 2015).…”

Medical textiles with silver/nanosilver and their potential application for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections – mini-review

“…Despite these limitations, textiles with silver/nanosilver impregnation, due to their strong antimicrobial activity, as well as the relatively low risk of biological toxicity and environmental toxicity, possess a wide spectrum of applications, including that for medical purposes. These engineered Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences textiles can be regarded as a new approach to reducing surficial microbial contamination [2,3,[5][6][7][8].…”

“…Medical textiles include protective cloths, mattresses, bed cloths, wound dressings or bandages, etc. [2,3,[5][6][7][8].…”

“…antimicrobial surfaces or textiles), or the healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, laboratory personnel and technical professionals (e.g. antimicrobial-impregnated clothing) [3,4].…”