Pore formers promoted release of an antifungal drug from functionalized polyurethanes to inhibit Candida colonization.
OBJECTIVE
As a preventive strategy to inhibit fungal biofilm formation on medical devices, we planned experiments based on polyurethane loading with fluconazole plus pore-former agents in order to obtain a promoted release of the antifungal drug.


RESULTS
Different functional groups including carboxyl, hydroxyl, primary and tertiary amino groups, were introduced in polyurethanes. Fluconazole was adsorbed in higher amounts by the most hydrophilic polymers and its release was influenced by the degree of polymer swelling in water. The entrapping in the polymer of polyethylenglycol as a pore former significantly improved the fluconazole release while the entrapping of the higher molecular weight porogen albumin resulted in a controlled drug release and in an improved antifungal activity over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the tested in vitro models, best results were achieved with an hydrophobic polymer impregnated with 25% (w/w) albumin and fluconazole which inhibited Candida albicans growth and biofilm formation on polymeric surfaces up to 8 days.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined entrapping in polymers of pore formers and an antifungal drug and the consequent controlled release over time is a novel, promising approach in the development of medical devices refractory to fungal colonization.
Department of Technologies and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. donelli@iss.it
G
G
Donelli
I
I
Francolini
V
V
Ruggeri
E
E
Guaglianone
L
L
D'Ilario
A
A
Piozzi
D000327:Adsorption; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018441:Biofilms; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011140:Polyurethanes; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D015725:Fluconazole