Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients get while receiving medical treatment in a medical facility with bacterial HAIs being the most common. Silver and gold nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully employed as antibacterial motifs however, NPs leaching in addition to poor dispersion and overall reproducibility are major hurdles to further product development. Herein, we designed and fabricated a smart antibacterial mixed-membrane coating comprising colloidal lysozyme-templated gold nanoclusters as nano-fillers in poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEO–PBT) amphiphilic polymer matrix. MSN-AuNCs@lys dispersed homogenously within the polymer matrix with no phase separation and zero NPs leaching. This mixed-matrix coating can successfully sense and inhibit bacterial contamination via a controlled release mechanism that is only triggered by bacteria. The system was coated on a common radiographic dental imaging device (PSP plate) that is prone to oral bacteria contamination. Variation and eventually disappearance of the red fluorescence surface under UV light signals bacterial infection. Kanamycin, an antimicrobial agent, was controllably released to instantly inhibit bacterial growth. Interestingly, the quality of the images obtained with these coated surfaces is the same as uncoated surfaces and thus the safe application of such smart coatings can be expanded to include other medical devices without compromising their utility.

Simultaneous detection and inhibition of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) by colloidal gold nanoclusters

254th National Meeting (2017)

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