New antibacterial coating for sutures is almost 1,000 times more effective than the most widely used coating and reduces infection after surgery, say researchers. Professor Gregory Tew, who is from UMass-Amherst, and colleagues explain that infection at the site of surgical incisions is one of the most common post-surgical complications that keep patients hospitalized longer and boost hospital bills. The most common antibiotic coating contains triclosan, but its use in many consumer products over the years has led to the emergence of strains of bacteria that shrug off its effects. Triclosan also can be absorbed into the body, raising concerns about possible adverse health effects. Another downside to triclosan: It slows the growth of bacteria, but does not actually kill those already present. That's why the scientists turned to PAMBM, a new substance designed from naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides that can kill a wide range of bacteria. And because of the way it works, PAMBM has a very low chance of causing bacterial resistance and the emergence of so-called superbugs. The report described laboratory tests in which PAMBM greatly reduced the amount of bacteria compared to triclosan. In a head-to-head test with triclosan-coated sutures, those coated with PAMBM were much more effective against bacteria. "As bacterial resistance to current agents continues to increase and with resistance to triclosan now documented, the discovery of new antimicrobial agents that remain active in biomedical device coatings is essential," say the researchers. Source: Eurekalert << Indian Made Pill Lets Drink-drivers Pass the Breath Tests Why Some Type of Fats are More Harmful Than Others >> Recommended Reading Birth Defects - Infections Birth defects are abnormalities, which occur before the birth of the baby and can be caused due to genetic, environmental and other unknown reasons. READ MORE Post Vaginal Labor, Synthetic Sutures 'Less Painful' Than Natural Catgut A new research has suggested that synthetic sutures cause less pain than natural "catgut" sutures in women who receive stitches after a vaginal birth. READ MORE Research Shows Stem Cells can be Embedded in Sutures to Promote Healing It is possible to embed surgical thread with a patient's own adult stem cells to promote healing, and reduce the likelihood of re-injury without changing the surgical procedure itself READ MORE Overexposure to Anti-bacterial Soaps Affects Immunity Being too clean can actually make people sick, suggests a finding by few researchers. READ MORE Most Popular on Medindia Diaphragmatic Hernia The Essence of Yoga Blood Donation - Recipients
New antibacterial coating for sutures is almost 1,000 times more effective than the most widely used coating and reduces infection after surgery, say researchers. Professor Gregory Tew, who is from UMass-Amherst, and colleagues explain that infection at the site of surgical incisions is one of the most common post-surgical complications that keep patients hospitalized longer and boost hospital bills. The most common antibiotic coating contains triclosan, but its use in many consumer products over the years has led to the emergence of strains of bacteria that shrug off its effects. Triclosan also can be absorbed into the body, raising concerns about possible adverse health effects. Another downside to triclosan: It slows the growth of bacteria, but does not actually kill those already present. That's why the scientists turned to PAMBM, a new substance designed from naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides that can kill a wide range of bacteria. And because of the way it works, PAMBM has a very low chance of causing bacterial resistance and the emergence of so-called superbugs. The report described laboratory tests in which PAMBM greatly reduced the amount of bacteria compared to triclosan. In a head-to-head test with triclosan-coated sutures, those coated with PAMBM were much more effective against bacteria. "As bacterial resistance to current agents continues to increase and with resistance to triclosan now documented, the discovery of new antimicrobial agents that remain active in biomedical device coatings is essential," say the researchers. Source: Eurekalert << Indian Made Pill Lets Drink-drivers Pass the Breath Tests Why Some Type of Fats are More Harmful Than Others >> Recommended Reading Birth Defects - Infections Birth defects are abnormalities, which occur before the birth of the baby and can be caused due to genetic, environmental and other unknown reasons. READ MORE Post Vaginal Labor, Synthetic Sutures 'Less Painful' Than Natural Catgut A new research has suggested that synthetic sutures cause less pain than natural "catgut" sutures in women who receive stitches after a vaginal birth. READ MORE Research Shows Stem Cells can be Embedded in Sutures to Promote Healing It is possible to embed surgical thread with a patient's own adult stem cells to promote healing, and reduce the likelihood of re-injury without changing the surgical procedure itself READ MORE Overexposure to Anti-bacterial Soaps Affects Immunity Being too clean can actually make people sick, suggests a finding by few researchers. READ MORE Most Popular on Medindia Diaphragmatic Hernia The Essence of Yoga Blood Donation - Recipients