New Antimicrobial Fabrics: Two Mechanisms Better Than One

New data quantifying the specific effects of various characteristics of antimicrobial fabrics were presented at IDWeek last week in San Diego.  IDWeek is the new joint meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS). The data was presented in the wake of numerous recent studies that identified healthcare textiles such as uniforms, lab coats and scrub suits as sources of infectious pathogens.

Antimicrobial fabrics have been marketed to address these problems.  The new research suggests that a textile-based antimicrobial alone may not be enough.  It appears that a fluid repellent action can further enhance the action of a textile based antimicrobial.  In fact, without a hydrophobic repellency, organic material from blood, secretions and bodily fluids may interfere with the antimicrobial agent embedded in the textile.

A team at MedStar Health Research Institute studied the relative contributions of the antimicrobial agent and the hydrophobic barrier in the reduction of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on various fabrics.  Swatches of untreated Control Fabric, Antimicrobial Alone, Hydrophobic Barrier Alone and VTT003 fabric (Vestex, Orlando, Fla.) were inoculated with MRSA using three different exposure simulations:  direct contact, splatter and aerosol.  VTT003 consistently reduced MRSA levels to near 0% Control in both Splatter and Contact Challenges. 

Matthew J. Hardwick, PhD, director, Laboratory of Clinical Investigations at MedStar Health Research Institute led the team and concludes, These data show that both the antimicrobial and hydrophobic barrier chemistries used to make VTT003 individually contribute to reduction of MRSA burden on treated textiles.  Interestingly, when used together (VTT003) these chemistries can have a synergistic effect on MRSA reduction.

In a recent controlled, randomized clinical study, Bearman reported a statically significant 47 mean log CFU reduction in MRSA burden associated with VTT003 scrub suits compared to untreated control scrub suits in an ICU patient care environment (Bearman et al, ICHE 2012).  The significant difference was observed both before and after the work shift. 

 IDWeek is Disclaimer
The ability of Vestex®to reduce MRSA or other microbial bioburden on garments has not been shown to correlate with any clinical event or to be able to reduce patient infections.  Clinical studies to evaluate reduction in infection have not been performed.  The antimicrobial agent used in Vestex® is EPA registered to guard against the degradation of the fabric from microorganisms and to retard the growth and action of odor causing bacteria.