Biofilms are a global health threat, existing as recalcitrant and protective matrix, inhibiting antibiotic penetration and resisting major efforts at being eradicated. Researchers from Cytacoat AB, Karolinska Institutet and the University of Southhampton have developed a novel coating to help prevent this build up from threatening fragile patients living with indwelling catheters.
Romero et al used artificial human urine dynamic flow set-ups for understanding the properties of their novel anti-fouling ligand coating (LubriShield™) on indwelling catheters.The team chose a broad variety of uropathogens to represent common urinary biofilms.
LubriShield™ resulted in less colonisation within dynamic flow conditions over 3 days with a decrease in biofilm build up on catheters (see Image). This was visualised by staining with EbbaBiolight 680,targeting EPS structures that commonly form as crystallisation under the dynamic flow conditions within catheters with uropathogens such as P.mirabilis.
LubriShield™ did not affect microbial viability acting as a anti-biofouling rather then antimicrobial coating. It provided the conditions for lowering the threshold of antibiotic susceptibility by likely forcing a planktonic life cycle. Minimising the use of antibiotics helps in preventing the rise in resistance currently threatening antibiotic pipelines globally.
Image: EbbaBiolight 680 staining of P.mirabilis biofilm growth over 3 days on a regular indwelling catheter vs on a LubriShield™ coated catheter under dynamic flow conditions. Image adapted from Fig 3 from Romero et al. 2025 (CC BY 4.0) Image adapted from Fig 3 from Romero et al. 2025 (CC BY 4.0).