Antibacterial and Antiviral Materials for the Prevention of Transmission of Hospital Acquired Infections

Many infectious diseases can be spread through the viral or bacterial aerosols or contaminated surfaces. Bacterial diseases that are caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </i>are especially challenging to treat. Both of these organisms can reside on surfaces for weeks and are in the top 12 list of the World Health organisation of priory pathogens. Developing materials that can eradicate the bacteria on contact is essential to prevent the transmission of these infections. In the current COVID19 pandemic, although direct inhalation of infectious aerosols is the main mechanism of transmission, surfaces have also been shown to play a role in transmission. Nitric oxide is a well document antibacterial and antiviral molecule that has broad spectrum activity. In this study, nitric oxide donor molecules were embedded into polymeric surfaces/matrices for a sustained and controlled release of the molecule for over 72 hours. The kinetics and concentration of release was studied by chemiluminescence. The antibacterial efficacy was tested against planktonic and biofilm adhered bacteria and optimal material demonstrated a 4 log reduction for MRSA and 2 log for P. aeruginosa. Antiviral efficacy was measured against the Delta and Omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Time course studies demonstrated a faster kill rate with the Delta variant. Cytocompatibility studies demonstrated at antibacterial and antiviral concentrations, the materials were not cytotoxic. Therefore these materials should good promise for the prevention of bacterial and viral infections from surfaces.