Trash into Treasure: Nano-coating of Catheter Utilizes Urine to Deprive H 2 S Against Persister and Rip Biofilm Matrix.

Bacteria-derived hydrogen sulfide (H ₂ S) often contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-recalcitrant bacteria, especially persister (a sub-population of dormant bacteria), thus causing the treatment failure of Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Here, an H ₂ S harvester nanosystem to prevent the generation of persister bacteria and disrupt the dense biofilm matrix by the self-adaptive ability of shape-morphing is prepared. The nanosystem possesses a core-shell structure that is composed of liquid metal nanoparticle (LM NP), AgNPs, and immobilized urease. The nanosystem decomposes urea contained in urine to generate ammonia for eliminating bacteria-derived H ₂ S. Depending on the oxidative layer of liquid metal, the nanosystem also constitutes a long-lasting reservoir for temporarily storing bacteria-derived H ₂ S, when urease transiently overloads or in the absence of urine in a catheter. Depriving H ₂ S can prevent the emergence of persistent bacteria, enhancing the bacteria-killing efficiency of Ga ³⁺ and Ag ⁺ ions. Even when the biofilm has formed, the urine flow provides heat to trigger shape morphing of the LM NP, tearing the biofilm matrix. Collectively, this strategy can turn trash (urea) into treasure (H ₂ S scavengers and biofilm rippers), and provides a new direction for the antibacterial materials application in the medical field.
(© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)