Antimicrobial Properties of a Novel PEGylated Copper Nanoparticle-Embedded Silicone Rubber with Potential for Use in Biomedical Applications

<b>Background</b>: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) significantly increase morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Among HAIs, catheter-associated infections are particularly prevalent due to the susceptibility of catheters to microbial contamination and biofilm formation, especially with prolonged use. Biofilms act as infection reservoirs, complicating treatment and often requiring catheter removal, thus extending hospital stays and increasing costs. Recent technological advances in catheter design have focused on integrating antifouling and antimicrobial coatings to mitigate or prevent biofilm formation. <b>Methods</b>: We developed COPESIL^®, a novel silicone rubber embedded with PEGylated copper nanoparticles designed to reduce microbial contamination on catheter surfaces. We conducted <i>in vitro</i> assays to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of COPESIL^® against pathogens commonly implicated in catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Additionally, the safety profile of the material was assessed through cytotoxicity evaluations using HepG2 cells. <b>Results</b>: COPESIL^® demonstrated substantial antimicrobial activity, reducing contamination with <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> by >99.9% and between 93.2% and 99.8%, respectively. Biofilm formation was reduced by 5.2- to 7.9-fold for <i>E. coli</i> and 2.7- to 2.8-fold for <i>K. pneumoniae</i> compared to controls. Cytotoxicity assays suggest the material is non-toxic, with cell viability remaining above 95% after 24 h of exposure. <b>Conclusions</b>: The integration of PEGylated copper nanoparticles into a silicone matrix in COPESIL^® represents a promising strategy to enhance the antimicrobial properties of catheters. Future studies should rigorously evaluate the long-term antimicrobial efficacy and clinical safety of COPESIL^®-coated catheters, with a focus on their impact on patient outcomes and infection rates in clinical settings.