Influence of polymerized siloxanes on growth of nosocomial aerobic bacteria

Health care associated infections are the fourth leading cause of disease in industrialized countries, and the most common complication affecting hospitalized patients. Recently a polymerized siloxane coating substrate was suggested as a promising candidate for the coating of materials which are aimed to be used in cardiovascular tissue engineering. To reduce the risk of tissue remodeling failure after implantation of such engineered tissue implants, coatings substrates for tissue engineering scaffolds might be helpful to lower the risk of bacterial attachment and growth during and after implantation. In the presented study a coating based on polymerized siloxanes was tested with respect to these properties. Tests were performed with aerobic nosocomial bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and an exemplary selection of materials (stainless steel, polycarbonate, soda-lime glass). The siloxane coating was able to significantly reduce bacterial adherence, and it is supposed that this effect is mainly a result of the high hydrophobicity of the coating substrate.