LubriShieldTM - a permanent urinary catheter coating that prevents uropathogen biofilm formation in vitro independent of host protein conditioning
LubriShieldTM - a novel permanent coating was invented, and evenly applied to both the internal and external surfaces of indwelling urinary Foley catheters. Without releasing active substances, it effectively prevented pathogens from producing biofilm. The coating was superhydrophilic and incorporated a proprietary anti-fouling ligand, which created a surface that significantly inhibited up to 99% of colonizing uropathogens from forming biofilm for the duration of use without any microbial killing (p< 0.001).RNA-seq analysis revealed that gene expression associated with microbial extracellular polymeric substances formation was significantly downregulated on the coated surfaces. Additionally, microorganisms adhering to LubriShieldTM coated catheters were 78% more susceptible to antibiotics compared to those on uncoated silicone catheters (p=0.004). Overall design: RNA-seq profiling of Pseudomonas aeruginos PA01 strain growing on Lubrishield-coated silicon catheters vs. uncoated one after 7 days growth under biofilm-promoting conditions in the artificial urine medium.