Electrochemical Catheter Hub Operated by a Wearable Micropotentiostat Prevents Acinetobacter baumannii Infection In Vitro

Abstract

Intraluminal infection of central venous catheters, used for long-term treatment, can result in central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). These infections can be challenging to prevent and treat due to formation of biofilms within catheter lumens, which shield bacteria from the human immune response and conventional antimicrobial therapies. Preventing bacterial colonization of catheter hubs is a strategy to prevent CLABSI. To address this, we developed a nonantibiotic, animal-ready electrochemical catheter hub (e-catheter hub), operated by a wearable, battery-powered micropotentiostat (MP), that internally generates tunable hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for preventing intraluminal infection. The design evaluated three different electrode materials—titanium, platinum, and gold—for HOCl generation and biocidal activity, using working and counter electrodes of the same materials and a silver/silver chloride-plated wire as a quasi-reference electrode. e-catheter hubs operated by MPs at 1.5 V_Ag/AgCl for 3 h generated HOCl, reducing Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC-17978 below the detection limit (average reduction of 4.40 ± 0.05 log₁₀ CFU/mL). The efficacy of e-catheter hubs operated by MPs in generating HOCl and achieving biocidal activity is comparable to that of a commercial potentiostat. This study represents the first step in developing a localized, nonantibiotic strategy to mitigate CLABSI risk.