Investigating the Anti-Biofilm Ability of Synergistic Drug Coated Urinary Catheters: In vitro Study

Abstract

Aim: Coating the surface of a urinary catheter using two different synergistic drug combinations to prevent bacterial adhesion was considered the primary objective of the study.Materials and Methods: Coatings were carried out using two steps: seeding and crystallization with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) as a binding agent. Coated samples were analyzed for FESEM analysis and FTIR analysis. The FTIR spectrum of the synergistic drugs and carrier-coated silicone was analyzed to detect the chemical interactions among them. Finally, an anti-biofilm assay using the minimal biofilm eradication concentration was determined to check the efficacy of the coated samples.Findings: Topographical analysis of the coated samples revealed a large, uniform, and continuous layer of parallelogram shapes on the catheter surface. The FTIR spectrum showed that the addition of drugs and carriers did not alter the functional group of silicone. C-H vibration for methyl groups of silicone, terminal C-H stretch of drugs, and asymmetric methyl groups of carriers were evident from some of the common peaks. The obtained peaks showed that the functional group of silicone was not altered.Conclusion: These in vitro outcomes suggest that the antimicrobial combinations used in the present research (Cefixime + Ciprofloxacin; and Ofloxacin and Ornidazole) with specific carriers (tocopherol acetate and beta cyclodextrin) can possibly be used to combat bacterial colonization and catheter-associated infections.

Keywords: Cefixime; Ciprofloxacin; Ofloxacin; Ornidazole; Tocopherol acetate; Beta cyclodextrin