Research about the technical feasibility of adding nano additives microbicides on catheter materials

• Grant number: 15/15998-2
• Support type: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: July 01, 2016 - March 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Leila Keiko Canegusuco Jansen
• Grantee: Leila Keiko Canegusuco Jansen
• Company: CHEM4U Consultoria e Assessoria Empresarial Ltda
• City: São Paulo

Abstract

In Brazil, 5-15% of hospitalized patients and 25-35% of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) acquire nosocomial infection, which is the fourth cause of mortality (ABEGG and SILVA, 2011). The bloodstream infections (BSI) related to the use of catheters can reach up to 85% mortality rate (MARRA et al., 2011). Currently, the treatment of ICS associated to the use of catheters requires procedures related to the management of the catheter (e.g., removal, rescue, or exchange) and the use of antimicrobial agents. Among the new approaches currently used, stands out the insertion of antimicrobial additives in catheter materials in order to prevent the attachment of microorganisms and subsequent biofilm formation (SIDDIQ & DAROUICHE et al., 2012). The agents used in the production of antimicrobial catheters are diverse, including oxides and metallic nanoparticles. The Chem4u produces the additive Progeniem AgBacter that attend the food industry; however, for use in catheters, characteristics as cost and color of the product do not meet the desired criterial by the company. Thus, the three main objectives of this Project PIPE I are: to produce the additive Progeniem AgBacterN with lower cost and higher microbicide efficiency compared to the current product; to produce thermoplastic materials for hospital use with the additive Progeniem AgBacterN; and to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics and microbicidal activities of the final product. For the production of new additive (Progeniem AgBacterN) will be added other components (oxides of silicon and / or zinc and / or titanium and / or cerium and / or tin and / or copper metal) to Progeniem AgBacter. Subsequently, the new additive will be incorporated into thermoplastic polymers commonly used in catheters (high density polyethylene - HDPE, Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC, polyurethane and silicone resins), and the generated product will be evaluated for microbicidal activities and physic-chemical characteristics. The bactericidal and fungicidal efficiencies shall be determined according to JIS Z 2801-2012 and their adaptations for fungicidal analysis. The additive Progeniem AgBacterN and thermoplastic with additive will be evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). It is expected that the additive Progeniem AgBacterN can be used in lower concentration to reduce the cost and the coloration of thermoplastic polymers and also, to maintain the microbicidal activity previously observed. Finally, we intend to deposit a patent of Progeniem AgBacterN additive for materials used in catheters. It is expected that use of the additive Progeniem AgBacterN may impact in reducing the occurrence of infections associated to use of the catheter, and consequently, the high mortality rates caused by bacterial and fungal infections. (AU)