Antimicrobial surface functionalization of plastic catheters by silver nanoparticles

<sec><st>Objectives</st> To test the antimicrobial activity and evaluate the risk of systemic toxicity of novel catheters coated with silver nanoparticles. </sec> <sec><st>Methods</st> Catheters were coated with silver using AgNO<inf>3</inf>, a surfactant and <it>N</it>,<it>N</it>,<it>N</it> ′,<it>N</it> ′-tetramethylethylenediamine as a reducing agent. Particle size was determined by electron microscopy. Silver release from the catheters was determined <it>in vitro</it> and <it>in vivo</it> using radioactive silver (110mAg+). Activity on microbial growth and biofilm formation was…