Designing a Synthetic Spider Silk Based Coating for Urinary Catheters to Reduce the Risk of CAUTIs

Authors

• Tess Armbrust, Utah State University
• Alexander Cook, Utah State University
• Andrea Grebil, Utah State University
• Matthew Potter, Utah State University
• Rachel Müller, Utah State University
• Harshit Singh, Utah State University
• Riannon Smith, Utah State University
• Randolph Lewis, Utah State University

Document Type

Poster

Journal/Book Title/Conference

College of Engineering Senior Design Projects

Publisher

Utah State University

Location

Logan, UT

Publication Date

2018

Abstract

• Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with life-threatening conditions.¹

• Foley catheters are the most common urinary catheters used but can become burdened with microbes which lead to CAUTIs, the most common source of hospital acquired infection (HAI).¹

• The attached bacteria can form biofilms on the catheter which are difficult to treat using oral antibiotics and can lead to chronic infections.²

• Synthetic spider silk as a catheter coating shows great promise because of demonstrated strength, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties.

• Chlorhexidine can enhance the antimicrobial properties of coatings.³

Recommended Citation

Armbrust, Tess; Cook, Alexander; Grebil, Andrea; Potter, Matthew; Müller, Rachel; Singh, Harshit; Smith, Riannon; and Lewis, Randolph, "Designing a Synthetic Spider Silk Based Coating for Urinary Catheters to Reduce the Risk of CAUTIs" (2018). Biological Engineering. Paper 13.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bioengr_srdesign/13