Hospital acquired infections have become a growing problem due to the proliferation of bacteria on surfaces and the overuse use antimicrobial products, leading to bacterial resistance. We discuss here a polymer of Vinylbenzyl Thymine (VBT) and Vinylbenzyl Triethyl Ammonium (VBA), which was synthesized and analyzed for antibacterial properties using qualitative and quantitative bacterial assays. Preliminary findings suggest concentrations as low as 1% polymer solution are antibacterial. The VBT/VBA polymer shows promising antibacterial results based on the decrease in the number of colony-forming units of E.coli in the presence of the polymer. We report here the time course of antibacterial activity of the VBT/VBA polymer against 6 nosocomial bacteria strains and new methodology for cross-linking and adherence of the polymer to laminate surfaces.

Characterizing the antibacterial activity of a VBT/VBA copolymer against common nosocomial gram-negative bacteria: Applications for new surface coating

245th National Meeting (2013)

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