A Novel Device-Integrated Drug Delivery System for Local Inhibition of Urinary Tract Infection.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a frequent community-acquired infection and the most common nosocomial infection. Here, we developed a novel antimicrobial catheter concept that utilizes a silicone-based interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) as balloon material to facilitate a topical slow-release prophylaxis of antibacterial agents across the balloon to the urinary bladder. The balloon material was achieved by modifying low shore hardness silicone tubes with a hydrogel interpenetrating polymer in supercritical CO using the sequential method. Release properties and antibacterial efficacy of the IPN balloon treatment concept was investigated and in a porcine CAUTI model developed for the study. In the latter, Bactiguard Infection Protection (BIP) Foley catheters were also assessed to enable benchmark with the traditional antimicrobial coating principle. Uropathogenic was undetectable in urinary bladders and on retrieved catheters in the IPN treatment group as compared to control that revealed significant bacteriuria (>10 colony forming units/ml) as well as catheter-associated biofilm. The BIP catheters failed to prevent colonization of the bladder but significantly reduced catheter biofilm formation compared to the control. The IPN-catheter concept provides a novel, promising delivery route for local treatment in the urinary tract.