Clinical study of antibacterial medical textiles containing polyhydroxyalkanoate oligomers for reduction of hospital-acquired infections

Abstract

Introduction: The prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections remain a significant challenge worldwide, as textiles used in hospital wards are highly involved in transmission processes. This paper reports a new antibacterial medical fabric used to prepare hospital pillowcases, bottom sheets and quilt covers for controlling and reducing hospital-acquired infections.

Method: The medical fabric was composed of blended yarns of staple polyester (PET) and degradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/polylactic acid (PLA) fibres, which were coated with polylactide oligomers (PLAO), which are environmentally friendly and safe antimicrobial agents with excellent thermal stability in high-temperature laundry. A clinical trial was conducted, with emphasis on the bacterial species that were closely related to the infection cases in the study hospital.

Result: After 7 days of use, 94% of PET/PHBV/PLA-PLAO fabric retained <20 colony-forming units/100 cm² of the total bacterial amount, meeting hygiene and cleanliness standards.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of fabrics containing polyhydroxyalkanoate oligomers as highly effective, safe and long-lasting antimicrobial medical textiles that can effectively reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.

Keywords: Antibacterial properties; Hospital-acquired infections; Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/polylactide fibres; Polylactide oligomers; Thermostability.