Photosensitisation studies of silicone polymer doped with methylene blue and nanogold for antimicrobial applications

Bovis, M.J. et al. (2015) Photosensitisation studies of silicone polymer doped with methylene blue and nanogold for antimicrobial applications. RSC Advances, 5(68), pp. 54830-54842. (doi: 10.1039/c5ra09045h)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Photosensitisation of polymers has important potential clinical applications such as the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Polymers incorporated with methylene blue (MB) and 2 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are effective in killing bacteria at the surface following low power visible illumination. Studies of medical-grade silicone polymer samples including segments from urinary catheters were carried out to investigate the generation of reactive oxygen species and the involvement of Type 1 and 2 mechanisms. Singlet oxygen was observed using direct phosphorescence detection and hydroxyl radical generation using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy; we conclude that both Type 1 and 2 mechanisms can operate with polymeric photosensitisation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) directly demonstrated the incorporation of AuNPs at the surface of the silicone. Using silicone doped with MB AuNPs, a ≥3 log10 reduction in the number of viable Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria was achieved when exposed to low power laser light; prior sterilisation with ethylene oxide (EO) had no influence on efficacy.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the Medical Research Council.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Peveler, Dr William
Authors: Bovis, M.J., Noimark, S., Woodhams, J.H., Kay, C.W.M., Weiner, J., Peveler, W.J., Correia, A., Wilson, M., Allan, E., Parkin, I.P., and MacRobert, A.J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
Journal Name:RSC Advances
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:2046-2069
ISSN (Online):2046-2069
Published Online:12 June 2015

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record