Application of theoretical prediction to prevent the biocontamination of medical materials

Abstract

Biofilms are increasingly identified as the source of major industrial, societal and public health problems. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the risk of contamination of medical surfaces by pathogenic strains. For this purpose, a theoretically estimation of the ability of four pathogenic strains in the medical field: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella Kentucky to adhere to the surface of four different substrata: Glass, polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE) and Stainless Steel 316L (Inox), was studied according to the thermodynamic approach. In order to modify the surface tension of these supports, they were treated with surfactants. The contact angle method was used to estimate the physicochemical properties of the two matrices. According to the results of the total free energy of interactions, the adhesion of these four strains on the treated and untreated glass was not favorable. For the other supports (PE, PS, and inox), the adhesion of the strains was favorable but after the treatment of the supports with surfactants, it appears that the attachment of the cells became unfavorable.