BACTERIAL ADHESION ON PEG-MODIFIED POLYURETHANE SURFACES

Polyurethane surface was modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (mol. wt. 1000, PEG1k) carrying terminal hydroxyl, amino and sulfonate groups, poly(ethylene glucol) (mol, wt. 3350, PEG3.4k) and PEG3.4k-Heparin, re spectively. These surfaces were investigated for bacterial adhesion us ing S. epidermidis and E. coli in tryptic soya broth (TSB), brain hear t infusion (BHI), and human plasma. All PEG modified surfaces reduced bacterial adhesion significantly and the adhesion level differs depend ing on surfaces as well as media. In the case of PEG1k surfaces, no re duction of S. epidermidis adhesion was demonstrated in TSB media, rega rdless of terminal functional groups of PEG1k. However, adhesion in pl asma was reduced to the different degree, depending on terminal groups of PEG1k (least adhesion on sulfonated PEG surface). Relatively longe r PEG surface (PEG3.4k) and PEG3.4k-heparin surface minimized bacteria l adhesion in both media. In the case of E. coli adhesion, significant reduction in adherent bacteria was observed on all PEG1k, PEG3.4k, an d PEG-heparin surfaces in both media compared to controls. In contrast , no reduction in bacterial adhesion was demonstrated on poly(propylen e glycol) (PPG1k) grafted PU surface as compared to control PU. These results suggest that surface modification with PEG1k-SO3, PEG3.4k and PEG3.4k-heparin seems to be effective for prevention of bacterial adhe sion and subsequent infection. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.