Metal–Organic Framework Polymer Coating Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus Attachment on Medical Circulation Tubing under Static and Dynamic Flow Conditions

Medical device-associated bacterial infections remain a significant complication for patients on extracorporeal organ support. Device-specific bacterial infections occur when bacteria enter the host tissue and attach to the devices, enabling bacteria to colonize and multiply rapidly. Preventing bacterial attachment would efficiently inhibit colonization and biofilm formation. In this study, a copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) with demonstrated stability under physiological conditions was dispersed in a polymer solution and applied to the interior surface of seven-foot-long medical circulation tubing via a custom-designed coating system. The resulting MOF coating was thin and uniform along the entire length of the tubing. The coating was stable after dynamic flow without degradation or changes to the surface morphology. Bacterial attachment studies were performed on MOF-embedded medical tubing and uncoated control tubing under static and dynamic flow conditions for 24 h. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) attachment was reduced by 52 ± 15% (static conditions) and 53 ± 29% (dynamic conditions) on the MOF-coated tubing compared to uncoated controls. In addition, S. aureus attachment was reduced by 52 ± 12% (MOF coating) and 52 ± 30% (uncoated controls) under dynamic flow conditions compared to static conditions. This study is the first to show the promising antibacterial performance of a MOF coating on medical tubing under both static and dynamic flow conditions.