Novel ten second antimicrobial coating for endotracheal tubes to prevent ventilator associated pneumonia

Abstract

Abstract This novel approach aims to mitigate ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients by improving the coating of endotracheal tubes (ETT). The research focuses on creating durable, antimicrobial coatings to prevent bacterial colonization on endotracheal tube surfaces. Using a 10-second exposure to solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF), the study successfully demonstrated a robust coating on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing. This coating inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli while maintaining biocompatibility and avoiding the toxic effects of traditional silver nitrate coatings. Quantitatively, the coatings achieved pH values of 5–5.5, viscosities of 0.6-1 mPa·s, and reduced microbial counts to 4 CFU/µL, compared to 5 CFU/µL in the controls. Biocompatibility remained high, with cell viability exceeding 98% for DMF and THF coatings. The research highlights a significant advance in combating ventilator-associated pneumonia, although clinical trials are needed to validate these promising results for clinical applications in intensive care settings.