Medical Implications of Antimicrobial Coating Polymers- Organosilicon Quaternary Ammonium Chloride

Abstract

Hospital-Associated Infections (HAI) are commonly caused by the invasive device and prosthesis implanted in the body. The practice of coating antimicrobial agents on biomedical surfaces or modifying the composite resin with such agents has been shown effective in reducing the incidence of HAI. Quaternary Ammonium Chloride (QAC) salts and the Organosilicon derivatives (OrganoSiQAC) are surface active to serve these applications. Clinically, Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is effective against a board range of microorganisms. However, it has been recognized as the source of several hospital outbreaks due to contamination with gram-negative bacteria. Safety aspects such as potential toxicities and in vivo efficacies were poorly defined. On the other hand, physical antimicrobial polymers formed by OrganoSiQAC compounds were found to be chemically stable and nonleachable from the bonded surface, whereas the biocidal effects were exerted by the end satellite QAC groups. Recent studies have also reported the application of such bioactive films on animated surfaces such as skin and mucosal lining. This opens the future perspective with multiple applications in infection control, in the regards of reduce use of antibiotics, treatment alternatives for multiple antibiotic resistance, blocking the route of transmission of specific organisms in clinical and community settings.