The solution

In Vitro/In Vivo Efficacy

The Bactiguard® coating reduces bacterial adhesion and colonization to a device surface. This effect has been proven for clinical relevant strains using the Ahearn test (in vitro)1.
The Ahearn test evaluates the primary adhesion of microorganisms to a device. An example of results from a publication of Ahearn et al is presented in the figure below1.

Bactiguard graph dummy silicone

The reduction of microbial colonization has been verified clinically. Mazzoli et al compared the presence and prevalence of microorganisms on Bactiguard® coated Foley catheter compared to uncoated catheters after 30 days of clinical use. Using a Bactiguard® coated Foley catheter in clinic reduced the colonization of bacteria with approximately 60 %2 compared to uncoated control catheter. The in vitro and ex vivo data has also been shown to correlate to the reduction of bacteriuria. Stenzelius et al has shown that Bactiguard® coated latex catheters reduces the risk of bacteriuria with 73 % in short-term catheterization3.

Reference

1 D. G Ahearn et al, Effects of hydrogel/silver coatings on in vitro adhesion to catheters of bacteria associated with urinary tract infections, Current Microbiology, 2000; vol 41, 120-125

2 Mazzoli S. et al, Bactiguard infection protection by biofilm former bacteria in urological long-term patients, Eurobiofilms 2009, Rom, Sept 02-05

3Stenzelius K, Persson S, Olsson UB, Stjärneblad M. Noble metal alloy-coated latex versus silicone Foley catheter in short-term catheterization: a randomized controlled study. Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2011 Sep;45(4):258-64