FTIR Characterization of the Development of Antimicrobial Catheter Coatings Loaded with Fluoroquinolones

The purpose of this paper was to present the development of antimicrobial coatings for different urinary catheters. Antimicrobial catheter coatings were prepared by immobilizing fluoroquinolones either with the use of linkers (covalent binding) or by activating the polymer matrix with iodine/bromine (noncovalent binding). The possibility of the deposition of antimicrobial agent(s) following bromine activation on latex, polyurethane, and silicone was evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), used to monitor the changes in the catheter’s molecular structure occurring over the course of its multi-stage modification, confirmed the presence of fluoroquinolones in the catheter matrix as well as site-specific reactions. The amounts of drugs embedded in the catheter matrix were determined by the HPLC method. Stability of the drug binding was checked by examining the drug release. The new antimicrobial coatings obtained with the participation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics have the potential to protect the patient against infections during catheterization.