Prevention of bacterial colonization on non-thermal atmospheric plasma treated surgical sutures for control and prevention of surgical site infections

Abstract

Surgical site infections have a remarkable impact on morbidity, extended hospitalization and mortality. Sutures strongly contribute to development of surgical site infections as they are considered foreign material in the human body. Sutures serve as excellent surfaces for microbial adherence and subsequent colonization, biofilm formation and infection on the site of a surgery. Various antimicrobial sutures have been developed to prevent suture-mediated surgical site infection. However, depending on the site of surgery, antimicrobial sutures may remain ineffective, and antimicrobial agents on them might have drawbacks. Plasma, defined as the fourth state of matter, composed of ionized gas, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, free radical and neutrals, draws attention for the control and prevention of hospital-acquired infections due to its excellent antimicrobial activities. In the present study, the efficacy of non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatment for prevention of surgical site infections was investigated. First, contaminated poly (glycolic-co-lactic acid), polyglycolic acid, polydioxanone and poly (glycolic acid-co-caprolactone) sutures were treated with non-thermal atmospheric plasma to eradicate contaminating bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Moreover, sutures were pre-treated with non-thermal atmospheric plasma and then exposed to S. aureus and E. coli. Our results revealed that non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatment effectively eradicates contaminating bacteria on sutures, and non-thermal atmospheric plasma pre-treatment effectively prevents bacterial colonization on sutures without altering their mechanical properties. Chemical characterization of sutures was performed with FT-IR and XPS and results showed that non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatment substantially increased the hydrophilicity of sutures which might be the primary mechanism for the prevention of bacterial colonization. In conclusion, plasma-treated sutures could be considered as novel alternative materials for the control and prevention of surgical site infections.

Evolving Technologies and Strategies for Combating Antibacterial Resistance in the Advent of the Postantibiotic Era

“…Recently, different methodologies in order to provide even and long‐lasting antibacterial NP coatings have been investigated. In this regard, plasma treatment offers a rapid method for the covalent attachment of antibacterial content to the substrate without obstructing the bulk properties 92,93. Thin polymer films or coatings on surfaces with different plasma processes improve controlled loading and release of drug molecules; and CAP can lead to antibacterial surface activation and functionalization associated antibacterial activities 140.…”

“…CAP treated materials can acquire antimicrobial effect that is comparable to that of CAP by itself. In addition to this, the surface of CAP treated materials may be modified in a way that prevents and/or reduces microbial adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation 91–94…”

Elastomers with biocidal properties. Part 1. Literature review

“…: łatwość przygotowania materiału do modyfikacji, dużą wszechstronność, kontrolę składu produktu, brak ograniczeń termodynamicznych, sterylność powierzchni w trakcie i po modyfikacji oraz możliwość osadzania różnych substancji na skalę komercyjną. Są tanie i nie wymagają użycia rozpuszczalników [13,[67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86].…”

“…- fizyczną modyfikację powierzchni materiału -utworzenie powierzchni superhydrofobowej [77][78][79][80][81];…”

Pulsed xenon ultraviolet and non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatments are effective for the disinfection of air in hospital blood sampling rooms

“…Non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatment is also used in prevention of nosocomial infections and other fields, including inactivation of dermatophyte infections in animal models, prevention of bacterial colonization on surgical sutures, and prevention of surgical site infection [23][24][25][26], However, the effect is variable [24,27].…”