Complete Growth Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Organo-Selenium-Incorporated Urinary Catheter Material

To further investigate the inhibition of 's in vitro growth and biofilm formation by an organo-selenium-incorporated polyurethane (PU) catheter material. , , and were incubated in vitro with organo-selenium and control polyurethane catheter materials in the presence of glutathione. Growth was evaluated by a colony-forming-unit (CFU) count and visualized with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Two different PU catheter materials were used. Using tin-catalyzed PU catheter material, complete inhibition of was seen at 1% selenium (Se), whereas no inhibition was seen for at up to 3.0% Se. Whereas, using a thermoplastic PU catheter material, 1.5% Se and 2% Se organo-selenium caused several logs of growth inhibition of , and 2.5% selenium, incorporation showed complete inhibition (8 logs). Samples with lower than 1.5% selenium did not show adequate growth inhibition for . Similar in vitro growth inhibition was achieved against a multidrug-resistant strain. It was concluded that optimal inhibition of in vitro growth and biofilm formation occurs with 2.5% selenium incorporated as organo-selenium in a thermoplastic PU catheter material. These results suggest that reduced incidence of CAUTIs (catheter associated urinary tract infections) with and other bacteria and fungi can be achieved by using organo-selenium-incorporated catheters.