Non-cytotoxic silver nanoparticle-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels with anti-biofilm activity: designed as coatings for endotracheal tube materials

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections as the intubation device acts as reservoir for bacterial colonization in the lungs. To reduce the incidence of bacterial colonization on the tubes, hydrogel coatings loaded with antimicrobial agents are gaining popularity. The aim of this study was to incorporate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form stable hydrogels. Embedding AgNPs into PVA resulted in a decreased elongation at break and an increased tensile strength compared to PVA alone. The Ag release profile varied as a function of the degree of hydrolysis of PVA: the higher degree of hydrolysis demonstrated a lower release rate. Fourier infrared transform spectroscopy demonstrated that AgNPs interacted exclusively with the -OH groups of PVA. AgNP-loaded PVA was non-toxic against human normal bronchial epithelial cells while effective against the attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with a greater effect on P. aeruginosa.

Synergistic anti-biofouling effect of Ag-exchanged zeolite and D-Tyrosine on PVC composite against the clinical isolate ofAcinetobacter baumannii

“…Attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus onto polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels was evident after contact for 6 h (Loo et al 2014). Therefore, it seems necessary to develop endotracheal tubes that will prevent the formation of bacterial biofilm during the first 24 h post-intubation, retain their anti-biofouling activity until the end of intubation, and at the same time release no antibacterial compound at concentrations which may be toxic to humans.…”

“…The Ag-NZ composites were able to eradicate up to 4.4 log CFU (see Figure 1) and the Ag-NZ composites coated with D-Tyr eradicated 6.9 log CFU of immobilised A. baumannii cells compared with untreated controls (see Figure 2). For comparison, polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels containing Ag-nanoparticles reduced colonisation of P. aeruginosa by 2 logs CFU and < 1 log CFU of S. aureus after contact for 24 h (Loo et al 2014). An Ag coating on polyurethane resulted in a 2.5-3.8 log CFU reduction of immobilised cells of Staphylococcus epidermidis after contact for 24 h (Dowling et al 2001).…”

“…Incorporation of Ag compounds into molten polymers has recently been considered as a promising method for the preparation of antimicrobial polymer composites (Kumar & Munstedt 2005;Damm & Munstedt 2008;Zampino et al 2011;Loo et al 2014). Zeolites (both synthetic and natural) have been considered to be promising inorganic reservoirs for hosting Ag ions.…”

Antimicrobial Treatment of Polymeric Medical Devices by Silver Nanomaterials and Related Technology

“…Due to this, nanocrystalline silver particles may decrease the incidence of postoperative prosthetic mesh infections. Loo et al [80] developed silver nanoparticle–polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel coatings to reduce the incidence of bacterial colonization of endotracheal tubes. They incorporated silver nanoparticles into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to produce stable hydrogels.…”

Nanoparticles vs. biofilms: a battle against another paradigm of antibiotic resistance

“…epidermidis have already been reported. 85 Likewise, Sawant et al 86 incorporated silver and gold NPs into polyurethane, polycaprolactam, polycarbonate and polymethylmethaacrylate by swelling and casting methods under ambient conditions. 81 Recently, there has been a wave of reports regarding biological applications of graphene.…”