Novel hydrogel coatings for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections and encrustation

Colin McCoy – Dean of the Graduate School, Queen's University of Belfast; Matthew Wylie – Lecturer, Queen's University of Belfast

Introduction:

Urinary catheters are one of the most commonly used medical devices but are prone to bacterial colonization which leads to the development of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). [1] Moreover, lots of CAUTIs-associated pathogens, such as Proteus mirabilis,  which can induce mineral encrustation of the catheter. New antimicrobial strategies to prevent CAUTI are urgently required. Our group have shown WOAs can lower urinary pH to prevent CAUTI-induced catheter encrustation.[2] Herein, we report the development of WOA-loaded pH-responsive hydrogel catheter coatings capable of preventing catheter encrustation.