Antibacterial Bandages Designed to Self-Dissolve

A new study describes a biocompatible wound dressing that does not require changing; once the antibiotic is administered, the bandages gradually dissolve on the skin.

Developed at the Russian National University of Science and Technology (MISiS; Moscow, Russia), Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic), the Central European Institute of Technology (Brno, Czech Republic), and other institutions, the dressing is based on the antibiotic Gentamicin, immobilized onto plasma coated polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers. The Gentamicin loaded nanofibers show a pronounced antibacterial effect that lasts for up to 48 hours, with the bandages gradually dissolving on the skin. A new dressing can then be applied directly on top of the old one.


In an experiment conducted against three strains of Escherichia coli, positive pharmacodynamics were observed, with the strongest effects seen when the Gentamicin was immobilized using ionic bonding (PCL-MA-GMi) and covalent bonding (PCL-MA-GMc). In both cases, the inhibition zone reached 27 mm in diameter, indicating a strong antibacterial effect against all types of E. coli. The researchers are now planning to increase the effectiveness of the material by creating multi-layer dressings that include an antibiotic, heparin, and another layer of antibiotic. The study was published in the September 2018 issue of Science Direct.

“As a basis for our material, we used polycaprolactone nanofibers, which are self-dissolvable. We attached gentamicin, a broad- spectrum antibiotic, to the fibers. Interestingly, the effect has turned out to be prolonged,” said lead author Elizaveta Permyakova, MSc, of the MISiS Inorganic Nanomaterials lab. “We observed a significant decrease in the number of bacteria even 48 hours after the application of the material. Usually surfaces with antibacterial effect work only during the first day, often even the first hours of application.”

Related Links:
Russian National University of Science and Technology
Masaryk University
Central European Institute of Technology