Permanent antimicrobial surface coating

von sabrinaspies
23.08.2021 Knowledge 0
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This spray allows any type of bacteria to be killed on surfaces for a period of more than a year – even the “superbugs”!

Every year we hear about an increasing number of infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) germs. More than 600,000 hospital patients become infected with MRSA each year and 270,000 people die from sepsis each year in the US alone.

I don’t know about you, but I find these numbers scary. Many of these people go to the hospital for a small cut on their finger and leave in coffins a few weeks later. This is why “superbugs” find themselves on the WHO list of the 10 worst global health threats.

But did you know that LIQUID GUARD® is an antimicrobial spray that works against the “superbugs” – even permanently? But before we talk about the benefits, first things first.

#1 What are “superbugs”?

Bacteria are known to cause disease. But they also protect our health: many bacteria naturally colonize our skin, as well as the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, intestines and other organs. Together they form a protective barrier for healthy people. This makes it more difficult for pathogens to enter our bodies. With weakened defenses or injuries to the skin and mucous membranes, both foreign and endogenous pathogens can enter the body and cause an infection. Common bacterial infections include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and wound or skin infections.

When the bacteria spread through the blood in the body, it is called blood poisoning. In the worst case, organs can fail, which becomes life-threatening.

Antibiotics are usually effective against bacterial infections. They kill or weaken the bacteria.

However, some bacteria are insensitive to a variety of antibiotics. In this, they are multidrug-resistant pathogens. The best known example is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – MRSA infection for short.

#2 How do multidrug-resistant germs develop?

Bacteria multiply very quickly and in large numbers. The genetic material can change in such a way that the pathogens become insensitive to antibiotics. These bacteria survive antibiotic treatments and pass on their resistance genes. If MRSA bacteria are resistant to many different antibiotics, this is called multidrug resistance. These bacteria are no more dangerous than others. Nor do they cause infections more often. However, if a staph infection occurs, it is much more difficult to treat. Few antibiotics are still effective. Lab tests can be used to determine which antibiotics are still effective and which are not.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria arise mainly because antibiotics are often not used properly, i.e. they are prescribed too often, not used long enough, dosed too low or because biocides interfere with the germs’ metabolism. The latter happened in a controversial case related to the commonly used antimicrobial agent triclosan. Therefore, the use of the active ingredient was banned by the FDA

#3 How can I become infected with such a germ?

For healthy people with good immune systems, multidrug-resistant pathogens are usually harmless. This means that the risk of getting sick from these bacteria is very low. Healthy people can carry MDR pathogens without getting sick themselves. They usually do not even know that they are carrying MDR germs. It becomes problematic when they unknowingly transmit the pathogens to people with a weakened immune system. These people are especially at risk for developing infections that are more difficult to treat. The following factors increase the risk of developing infections from MDR pathogens: Hospitalization within the last six months Staying in a nursing home Permanent care Antibiotic therapy within the last six months Open, large, and poorly healing wounds Tubes (catheters) in the body, e.g., in the bladder Diseases that weaken the immune system; e.g., diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, HIV Medications that suppress the immune system For healthy MDR germ carriers, the pathogens can become a risk during surgery, for example. MDR pathogens can penetrate surgical wounds and cause an infection. However, MSRA skin infections can also be caught within the community (CA-MRSA). So CA-MRSA is about people who have contracted MRSA in a place other than healthcare settings. CA-MRSA can also cause serious infections in healthy people outside the hospital, which in some cases can be fatal (e.g. pneumonia).

#4 How often do such infections occur?

“Superbug” infections are most likely to occur in facilities where many sick and weak people are cared for such as nursing homes or health care facilities. There is a particularly high risk in hospitals. That is why the risk of infection is greatest there: In Germany, about 500,000 people fall ill each year from hospital infections, which are often triggered by bacteria in the body. About 30,000 infections are caused by MDR pathogens. This means that about 6 out of 100 hospital infections are caused by MDR germs. In the EU, 33,000 people die each year from such staph infections.

#5 How can I protect myself against “superbugs”?

In addition to basics such as regular and proper hand washing and avoiding skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, regular disinfection with antimicrobial sprays can reduce the spread of pathogens such as MRSA.

#6 Basic properties of antimicrobial agents

Antimicrobials are generally understood to be chemical substances. Antimicrobial-acting substances also include ionizing radiation or engineered surface structures. Each of the variants inhibits or alters one or more of the following cellular functions of microorganisms:

1) cell wall synthesis
2) protein synthesis
3) cell membrane functions
4) Nucleic acid synthesis (genetic code)

#7 The solution: permanent antimicrobial coating of surfaces

Even though most EPA- and BPR-registered hard surface agents are nontoxic, their promised effectiveness against odor-causing bacteria and mold growth (mold control) leaves much to be desired. In most healthcare provider reviews, these antimicrobial-acting products are shown to have a poor shelf life. In fact, microbial regrowth begins shortly after application of the antimicrobial sprays.

LIQUID GUARD® antimicrobial coating preserves and maintains the value of any item. In addition, the invisible seal made of amorphous glass protects your most valuable asset: health and well-being.

Unlike silver ion technology, which has a depot effect that limits the durability of its antimicrobial properties, LIQUID GUARD® is permanent due to its physical mechanism of action. Therefore, it can also be used on medical equipment in health care facilities or in medical institutions and creates a permanent antimicrobial-active surface.

Not only is the growth of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, moulds and other micro-organisms prevented, but also the spread of bacteria (re-colonisation), such as on door handles.

There is a truly unique technology behind the antimicrobial-acting product: the product does not act directly with an antimicrobial additive or material. The molecules contained in the thin SiO2 coating are so sharp that they tear open the cell wall of microorganisms, rendering them harmless. The LIQUID GUARD® antimicrobial coating is made of silicone and provides round-the-clock protection against infection, especially against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. The use of the non-toxic active ingredient makes the use of other cleaning agents unnecessary.

Applications of the antimicrobial coating for disease control include:

Surfaces such as:

Plastics, fiberglass, metals, glass, wood, ceramics, stone, natural materials, composites: including air filters for furnaces, air conditioners, air purifiers, automotive and recirculating air systems; aquarium filters; automotive and vehicle parts.

Materials such as:

Roofing materials (tiles, sheeting, shingles, granules, stone, foil, felt, underlayment, and synthetic coatings); building materials and components (including siding, plywood, wood and wood composites, insulation, and furniture construction); decking; concrete products; dry concrete and mortar mixes; conveyor belts and stainless steel
Utility items such as:

Non-food contact countertops; healthcare use items; fiberglass duct for ventilation systems; air conditioning units; furniture; non-food contact bathrooms and kitchen appliances; flooring; floor mats; multi-purpose containers; furniture; non-food contact bathroom and kitchen accessories; plumbing supplies and accessories; sheet and molded glass; mopping utensils; vacuum cleaner bags and filters; foam for packaging and upholstery

Other applications for reducing microbial growth with antimicrobial surface coatings include:

Fibrous materials and commodities such as:

Fibers, fabrics (natural and synthetic, woven and non-woven), leather and materials of household articles (natural and synthetic) such as upholstery covers (coarse and glossy); mattress covers, fillings and trimmings; pillowcases; bed sheets; bedspreads; Bedspreads; fillings for upholstered furniture, clothing, leisurewear, quilts and cushions; curtains; drapery; carpets and rug pads; woollen blankets; upholstered furniture; towels; shower curtains; toilet cisterns and seat covers; wall coverings and wallpapers (incl. Vinyl); umbrellas; fire hose fiber; non-woven disposable diapers; wipes; pre-moistened refreshing wipes and cleaning cloths (no pesticides); clothing including outdoor clothing, sportswear, pajamas, socks, hosiery, underwear, gloves and uniforms; footwear (boots, shoes and accessories); sports equipment; sailcloth, ropes, tents and other outdoor equipment; sandbags, tarps, awnings, book covers, paintings

Products such as:

Paints and coatings; Disposable foam pads; Foams used as growing media for seeds and plants.
Conclusion

If you have to go to hospital, multidrug-resistant germs (“superbugs”) are one of the biggest dangers. New developments like LIQUID GAURD® provide surfaces with around-the-clock protection and reduce the risk of infection between scheduled cleaning cycles. The permanent-action coating can create a revolution in healthcare, but can also be used at home for surface hygiene and odour control.