THETA publish results at the European Society on Bio-Materials Conference. Substrates with THETA TiOSOL nano-coating kill bacteria. This new self-sterilising technology represents a step change in the battle against bacteria and microbial contamination.
A major concern in healthcare (e.g. hospitals, residential care units) and community (e.g. schools, swimming pools) environments is the transmission of infection where contamination readily occurs through infected individuals. Surfaces can act as reservoirs for microbes in these locations where infectious agents such as Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can survive up to 9 weeks. Those affected face increased mortality and morbidity risks and as well as raising resource costs through cleaning and sanitization. Increased resistance exhibited by bacteria to conventional antibiotics make these outbreaks a greater concern. Further unease exists with excessive use of disinfectants, particularly chlorine or peroxide containing chemicals where concerns about toxicity and mutagenesis exist. Therefore, the alternative of self-sterilising surfaces shows huge potential to reduce the microbial density of an environment and lowering transmission.