Killing Germs (IMAGE)

Brown University

Killing Germs

Caption

Brown University researchers have developed a coating for intravascular catheters that kills bacteria and keeps them from forming hard-to-eliminate biofilms. The image shows that coated catheters are able to keep their immediate vicinity clear of bacteria, whereas uncoated catheters cannot. Experiments showed that the antimicrobial ability of the coating lasted as long as 26 days, far longer than existing coatings. The researchers are hopeful that the coating could one day be translated to clinical settings, where it could help to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections.

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Brown University

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