Chitosan combats biofilm.(Developments across the industry)

Medical Device Technology, October, 2006

Microbes often colonise wound dressings, catheters and other implantable medical devices causing biofilms. Researchers at the Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, USA, have found that coating devices in chitosan, a sugar in the cells of crabs and shrimp, can discourage microbes from gaining a foothold.

Biofilms are thought to be responsible for 400000 cases of catheter-related blood-stream infections each year. "Coating chitosan onto a surface seems to stop bacteria and yeast form colonising that surface" said Philip Stewart, Director of the Centre. If further testing proves successful, coating devices such as mechanical heart valves, contact lenses, artificial hips and knees and breast implants could become an important first line of...

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