PDMS-PIM45 prevents encrustation and prevents/impedes colonization of uropathogens

Catheters are the most widely used medical device and on the same note, catheter associated infections are also prevalent in health and medical care, globally. Among them, urinary catheters associated infections (CAUTI) predominates the nosocomial infections. Antimicrobial/antifouling catheter innovations to overcome infections has escalated exponentially in recent years. Imidazolium-based polymer antimicrobial (PIM45) is a potent broadspectrum antimicrobial and incorporation of PIM45 in PDMS matrix (PDMS-PIM45 biomaterial) proved to produce a robust, long-lasting antimicrobial biomaterial and could be recycled up to 45 days. Thus, exhibiting beneficial potential for development of medical devices that display inherent antimicrobial propensity. In this study, using a continuous flow model of artificial urine, we proved that PDMS-PIM45 could eradicate the CAUTI causative pathogens, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus sp , completely at 106 CFU/ml loading. Though colonization was not inhibited, lower rate of infection and absence of biofilm development was observed for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a newly emerging CAUTI pathogen. Importantly, we have also shown that PDMS-PIM45 could prevent encrustation following Proteus mirabilis infection, and maintain the low pH of artificial urine over 7 days in continuous flow model.