Evaluation of Cellular Toxicity, Residence Time, and Antibacterial Performance of Silver/Zinc Oxide Colloidal Nanostructures Coated on the Surface of Foley Catheters

Alireza  Jafari; Mohammad Naimi Joubani; Siavash Falahatkar; Sepide  Roshani; Mahan Azizzade  Dobakhshari

doi:10.18502/jmb.v13i4.20520

Alireza Jafari Current: Infectious Disease Research Center, Avicenna Institute of Clinical Sciences, Avicenna Health Research Institute, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Mohammad Naimi Joubani Research Center of Health and Environment, School of Health, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Siavash Falahatkar Urology Research Center, Razi Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Sepide Roshani Urology Research Center, Razi Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Mahan Azizzade Dobakhshari Urology Research Center, Razi Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmb.v13i4.20520

Keywords: Cellular toxicity, Antibacterial, Silver/Zinc oxide nanostructure, Catheter-associated urinary tract infections, Coating, Foley catheter, Escherichia coli

Abstract

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a major cause of hospital- acquired infections, driven by biofilm-forming pathogens. Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles offer synergistic antimicrobial effects. This study assesses a novel Ag-ZnO nanocomposite-coated catheter to improve efficacy, reduce cytotoxicity, and offer a cost-effective, locally-produced solution to combat CAUTIs.

Methods: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized via chemical reduction and sol-gel methods, respectively, and combined in a 2:8 ratio to form an antimicrobial nanocomposite. Foley catheters were functionalized through dip-coating and radiation- assisted drying. Nanostructures were characterized using DLS and TEM. Antibacterial activity was assessed through disk diffusion, microplate dilution (MIC/MBC), and log reduction assays against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. Coated catheter efficacy was evaluated over 72 hours. Cytotoxicity was analyzed on L929 fibroblasts using the MTT assay.

Results: Silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity, achieving a 0.65 log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and 0.63 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Foley catheters coated with the nanocomposite showed complete inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus growth over 72 hours. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that ZnO nanostructures were non-toxic up to 1:16 dilution, while Ag nanoparticles exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The Ag-ZnO composite showed acceptable biocompatibility, maintaining over 70% L929 cell viability at 1:32 and 1:64 dilutions. These results support the potential of Ag-ZnO-coated catheters as antimicrobial devices with controlled cytotoxicity and broad-spectrum efficacy against common uropathogens.

Conclusion: The silver-zinc oxide nanocomposite demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. coli, with no cytotoxicity to L929 fibroblasts. These findings support its potential as a safe and effective antimicrobial coating for foley catheters, paving the way for future commercial production and clinical application.