The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks antibiotic resistance among the top ten threats to global health. There is therefore a great need for new solutions to fight against resistant bacteria and reduce the use of antibiotics. A group of researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden now presents a new spray capable of killing even antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be used for wound care and directly on implants and other medical devices.
“Our innovation can have a double impact in the fight against antibiotic resistance. The material has been shown to be effective against many types of bacteria, including those that are resistant to antibiotics, such as methicillin resistance. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), while having the potential to prevent infections and therefore reduce the need for antibiotics,” says Martin Andersson, research director for the study and professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are already estimated to cause nearly 1.3 million deaths a year worldwide. As part of the effort to slow the spread and development of drug resistance, Chalmers researchers are developing a new antibacterial material that can be used in healthcare and become an effective tool in combating drug resistance. antibiotics.
The material is made up of small hydrogel particles equipped with a type of peptide* that effectively kills and binds bacteria. The attachment of the peptides to the particles provides a protective environment and increases the stability of the peptides. This allows them to work with bodily fluids such as blood, which otherwise inactivates the peptides, making them difficult to use in healthcare. In previous studies, researchers have shown how peptides can be used for wound care materials such as dressings. They have now published two new studies in which the bactericidal material is used as a spray for wounds and as a coating on medical devices that are introduced into our bodies. This new step in research means that the innovation can be used in many ways and be even more beneficial to health care.
Kills bacteria without affecting wound healing
The wound spray, which can reach deep wounds and other open areas of the body where bacteria can enter, is flexible and very useful in treating and preventing infections. The new material has many advantages over existing sprays and disinfectants
“The substance in this wound spray is completely non-toxic and does not affect human cells. Unlike existing bactericidal sprays, it does not inhibit the body’s healing process. The materials, which are simply sprayed on the wound, can also kill bacteria in a shorter time,” says Edvin Blomstrand, industrial doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology and one of the main authors of the scientific article.
Reduces the risk of infection from materials introduced into the body
For treatments in which materials such as implants and catheters are inserted into our body, infections are a major problem. There is therefore a great need for new antibacterial biomaterials, that is to say materials which treat, replace or modify organs, tissues or functions in a biological body. One of the main sources of nosocomial infections comes from the use of urinary catheters. The Chalmers researchers’ new coating can now be an effective new tool to reduce this risk and prevent infections.
“Although the catheters are sterile when unpackaged, they can become contaminated with bacteria when introduced into the body, which can lead to infection. One of the main advantages of this coating is that bacteria are killed as soon as they come into contact with the surface. Another is that it can be applied to existing products that are already used in healthcare, so there is no need to produce new ones,” says Annija Stepulane, PhD student in the Department of Chemistry and Engineering. Chalmers Chemical and one of the main authors of the article.
In the study, the researchers tested the coating on silicone materials used for catheters, but they see opportunities to use it on other biomaterials.
Research in parallel with product development
Research into antibacterial materials is carried out in collaboration with spin-off company Amferia AB, which is also commercializing the technology. Chalmers and Amferia have previously introduced the antibacterial material in the form of hydrogel dressings, which are currently undergoing clinical study for the care of human and animal wounds.