SHARK'S SKIN HAS TEETH IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HOSPITAL BUGS
Transmission of
bacterial infections, including MRSA and MSSA could be curbed by coating
hospital surfaces with microscopic bumps that mimic the scaly surface of shark
skin, according to research published in the open access journal Antimicrobial Resistance and
Infection Control
The study modelled how
well different materials prevented the spread of human disease bacteria through
touching, sneezes or spillages. The micropattern, named Sharklet™, is an
arrangement of ridges formulated to resemble shark skin. The study showed that Sharklet
harboured 94% less MRSA bacteria than a smooth surface, and fared better than
copper, a leading antimicrobial material. The bacteria were less able to attach
to Sharklet's imperceptibly textured surface, suggesting it could reduce the
spread of superbugs in hospital settings.
The surfaces in
hospitals and healthcare settings are often rife with bacteria and patients are
vulnerable to bacterial infection. Scientists are investigating the ability of
different materials to prevent the spread of bacteria. Copper alloys are a popular
option, as they are toxic to bacterial cells, interfering with their cellular
processes and killing them. The Sharklet micropattern works differently -- the
size and composition of its microscopic features prevent bacteria from
attaching to it. It mimics the unique qualities of shark skin, which, unlike
other underwater surfaces, inhibits bacteria, because it is covered with a
natural micropattern of tooth-like structures, called denticles.
Dr Ethan Mann, a
research scientist at Sharklet Technologies, the manufacturer of the
micropattern, says: "The Sharklet texture is designed to be manufactured
directly into the surfaces of plastic products that surround patients in
hospital, including environmental surfaces as well as medical devices. Sharklet
does not introduce new materials or coatings -- it simply alters the shape and
texture of existing materials to create surface properties that are unfavorable
for bacterial contamination."
The researchers from
Sharklet Technologies compared how well two types of infection-causing
bacteria, methicillin-resistant or susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA
and MSSA), fared at contaminating three surfaces -- the Sharklet micropattern,
a copper alloy, and a smooth control surface. They created experimental
procedures to mimic common ways bacteria infect surfaces. Sneezing was mimicked
by using a paint sprayer to spread the bacterial solution on 10 samples of each
surface. To mimic infected patients touching the surfaces, velveteen cloth was
put in contact with bacteria for 10s, and then placed on another set of each
test surface for 10s. A third set of each surface was immersed in bacterial
solution for an hour, then rinsed and dried, to mimic spills.
Surfaces were sampled
for remaining contaminations either immediately following exposure to MSSA and
MRSA or 90 minutes after being exposed. The Sharklet micropattern reduced
transmission of MSSA by 97% compared to the smooth control, while copper was no
better than the control. The micropattern also harboured 94% less MRSA bacteria
than the control surface, while the copper had 80% less.
Dr Mann says:
"Shark skin itself is not an antimicrobial surface, rather it seems highly
adapted to resist attachment of living organisms such as algae and barnacles.
Shark skin has a specific roughness and certain properties that deter marine
organisms from attaching to the skin surface. We have learned much from nature
in building this material texture for the future."
Comments
Post a Comment