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A new study suggests rough surfaces inspired by the bacteria-killing spikes on insect wings may be more effective at combatting drug-resistant superbugs, including fungus, than previously understood.
The increasing rates of drug-resistant infection has health experts globally concerned.
To avoid infection around implants – such as titanium hips or dental prosthesis – doctors use a range of antimicrobial coatings, chemicals and antibiotics, but these fail to stop antibiotic-resistant strains and can even increase resistance.
To address these challenges, RMIT University scientists have designed a pattern of microscale spikes that can be etched onto titanium implants or other surfaces to provide effective, drug-free protection from both bacteria and fungus.
The team’s study published in Advanced Materials Interfaces tested the effectiveness of the altered titanium surface in killing multi drug-resistant Candida – a potentially deadly fungus responsible for one in 10 hospital-acquired medical device infections.
The specially designed spikes, each of a similar height to a bacteria cell, destroyed about half the cells soon after contact.
Titanium micro-spikes skewer resistant superbugs
A new study suggests rough surfaces inspired by the bacteria-killing spikes on insect wings are effective at combatting drug-resistant fungus.
www.rmit.edu.au
