Broad-purpose antimicrobial chlorine-active polymers: suppression of multidrug-resistant microorganisms and microbial penetration resistance

Abstract

The aim of the work was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of polymeric materials with immobilized N-Chlorosulfonamide groups against multidrug-resistant hospital strains of common microorganisms and to determine the resistance to microbial penetration of these materials. Materials and methods: the studied samples were copolymers of styrene with divinylbenzene in the form of staple fibre and non-woven fabric with immobilized N-Chlorosulfonamide groups of various structures. Hospital strains of microorganisms have been isolated from clinical material; their antibiotic sensitivity has been determined by the Kirby-Bauer method. The agar diffusion method determines the antimicrobial activity of the polymers. Resistance to microbial penetration of samples of non-woven fabric has been determined by the membrane filtration method. Results: polymer samples have been synthesized with immobilized N-Chlorosulfonamide groups in the Na- and H-forms, and with the N, N-dichlorosulfonamide group, with chlorine concentration range 3.7 - 12.5 %. All samples demonstrated pronounced antimicrobial activity against both standard and hospital strains. Due to the higher specific surface area, staple fibre is generally more efficient. An increase in the zone of inhibition of the growth of microorganisms was observed with an increase in the concentration of immobilized chlorine. All the studied fabric samples are impermeable to S. aureus. The control samples containing the free sulfonamide group did not show antimicrobial properties. Conclusions: synthesized chlorine-active polymers have a pronounced antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant microorganisms, demonstrate high resistance to microbial penetration and therefore are promising for creating a wide range of medical products on their basis: dressings, protective masks, antimicrobial filters, etc.