A feasible strategy of Ag nanoparticles-sodium alginate-polyacrylamide-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel coatings for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) pose a significant clinical challenge, potentially resulting in complications such as bacteriuria and mortality. Developing coatings with antibacterial and antiadhesive properties for urinary catheters is essential to address these issues. In this study, a novel hydrogel coating composed of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), sodium alginate (SA), polyacrylamide (PAAm), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was prepared on polydopamine (PDA)-modified latex urinary catheters using a simple dipping method. The Ag NPs were synthesized via an in-situ reduction of AgNO₃ with SA, eliminating the need for additional chemical reductants. The Ag NPs-SA-PAAm-PVA hydrogel-coated urinary catheter demonstrated superior antibacterial and antiadhesive characteristics compared to the bare urinary catheter. The antiadhesive properties of the hydrogel-coated urinary catheter were attributed to its hydrophilicity and lubricity, while the antibacterial effects were linked to the penetration of Ag NPs and Ag⁺ ions into bacterial structures, disrupting bacterial metabolism through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals upon attachment of Ag⁺ ions to cell walls and membranes. Furthermore, the hydrogel coatings exhibited remarkable mechanical properties, along with good biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. The exceptional antibacterial and antiadhesive properties of the hydrogel-coated urinary catheter hold promise for reducing CAUTIs.