Colloidal Gold Nanoclusters Spiked Silica Fillers in Mixed Matrix Coatings: Simultaneous Detection and Inhibition of Healthcare‐Associated Infections

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are the infections that patients get while receiving medical treatment in a medical facility with bacterial HAIs being the most common. Silver and gold nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully employed as antibacterial motifs; however, NPs leaching in addition to poor dispersion and overall reproducibility are major hurdles to further product development. In this study, the authors design and fabricate a smart antibacterial mixed-matrix membrane coating comprising colloidal lysozyme-templated gold nanoclusters as nanofillers in poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(butylene terephthalate) amphiphilic polymer matrix. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles-lysozyme functionalized gold nanoclusters disperse homogenously within the polymer matrix with no phase separation and zero NPs leaching. This mixed-matrix coating can successfully sense and inhibit bacterial contamination via a controlled release mechanism that is only triggered by bacteria. The system is coated on a common radiographic dental imaging device (photostimulable phosphor plate) that is prone to oral bacteria contamination. Variation and eventually disappearance of the red fluorescence surface under UV light signals bacterial infection. Kanamycin, an antimicrobial agent, is controllably released to instantly inhibit bacterial growth. Interestingly, the quality of the images obtained with these coated surfaces is the same as uncoated surfaces and thus the safe application of such smart coatings can be expanded to include other medical devices without compromising their utility.

Mesoporous Silica and Organosilica Nanoparticles: Physical Chemistry, Biosafety, Delivery Strategies, and Biomedical Applications

“…Membranes were also doped with mesoporous silica and organosilica NPs for various applications including antimicrobial coatings . Nitric oxide‐releasing silica nanoparticles were incorporated in electrospun nanofibers mixed membranes for antimicrobial applications by Schoenfisch and co‐workers .…”

“…Application of the antibacterial activity of dental imaging device coated via the smart MSN–AuNC@Lys‐doped membrane material for safer dental X‐ray imaging d). Reproduced with permission …”

Mesoporous Silica‐Based Materials with Bactericidal Properties

“…Colloidal gold nanoclusters spiked silica fillers in mixed matrix coatings for detection and inhibition of healthcare‐associated infections were prepared by Khashab and co‐workers . The authors developed an antibacterial polymer coating containing gold nanoclusters‐lysozyme (AuNC@Lys) capping kanamycin (Kana)‐loaded aminated MS nanoparticles, applied on a medical device for safer X‐ray dental imaging.…”

Gold Nanoclusters for Bacterial Detection and Infection Therapy

“…Conjugation of graphene and Au NCs into TiO 2 NPs can dramatically improve the solar energy utilization efficiency and increase ROS levels, resulting in enhanced antibacterial activity. Alsaiari et al designed and fabricated an intelligent antimicrobial mixed-matrix membrane coating comprising lysozyme-Au NCs and kanamycin as nanofillers (Alsaiari et al, 2017). The mixed-matrix coating can successfully treat healthcare-associated infections.…”