COLL 138 |
| Ceragenins are steroid-based mimics of antimicrobial peptides, and they are highly active against Gram-negative and positive bacteria. Because the ceragenins preferentially disrupt prokaryotic membranes, it was anticipated that these antimicrobial agents would retain activity while appended to a polymer and immobilized on a surface. Biofilm formation on medical implants is a primary cause of hospital-acquired infections, and antimicrobial surfaces may provide a means of preventing biofilm formation. Ceragenin CSA-13 has been covalently attached to a variety of polymers including polyacroylchloride and polyurethane. The weight percent of CSA-13 in the polymers has been varied with percentages as high as 16%. With lower molecular weight polyurethane polymers, the conjugate retains a small degree of water solubility, and the ceragenin-containing polymer elutes slowly from coated materials. The CSA-13 polymer conjugate retains potent antibacterial activity with rapid bactericidal kinetics. Larger molecular weight polymers containing CSA-13 remain in thin films on surfaces and inhibit biofilm formation. |
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Structure, Interactions and Reactivity at Microbial Surfaces
8:30 AM-12:00 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Sir Francis Drake -- Windsor Room, Oral
Division of Colloid & Surface Chemistry |