Anti-infective surfaces based on tetraether lipids for peritoneal dialysis catheter systems

To prevent bacterial growth on silicone catheters and other medical devices a new coating concept based on covalent immobilisation of a group of bipolar membrane spanning tetraether lipids from archaebacterium Thermoplasma acidophilum was developed. A lipophilic layer with optional further functionality was introduced to the surface of commercially available medical silicone elastomer slides and tubes. Physico-chemical characterisation of the different surface modified polymers represents the basis for the optimisation of the monomolecular coatings. The new tetraether lipid coated catheter surfaces showed a successful reduction of bacterial adherence associated with an excellent biocompatibility.