Multiple antibiotic resistance has now become a major obstacle to the treatment of infectious diseases. In this context, the application of nanotechnology in medicine is a promising alternative for the prevention of infections with multidrug-resistant germs. The use of silver as a powerful antibacterial agent has attracted much interest. TiO₂ and SiO₂ thin films enhanced with Ag particles have been developed with the aim of maintaining the transparency of the polymer films. Antibacterial activity was evaluated for a Gram-negative species-Escherichia coli-in concentrations of 10⁵ and 10⁴ CFU/mL in different conditions-activation by UV irradiation, single layer and double layer. Increased antibacterial efficacy of TiO₂-deposited foil was found for the tests that had been exposed to UV activation. In the case of bilayer tests, the efficiency was higher compared to those in a single layer, as the contact surface between the films and the bacterial suspension increased. Films can be used as a potential method to limit bacterial growth on hospital surfaces, such as telephone screens and medical equipment, given their optimized characteristics and proven antibacterial efficacy.

Biomaterials are an important and integrated part of modern medicine, and their development and improvement are essential. The fundamental requirement of a biomaterial is found to be in its interaction with the surrounding environment, with which it must coexist. The aim of this study was to assess the biological characteristics of hydroxyapatite (HAp)-based coatings doped with Mg and Zn ions obtained by the pulsed galvanostatic electrochemical method on the surface of pure titanium (cp-Ti) functionalized with titanium dioxide nanotubes (NTs TiO₂) obtained by anodic oxidation. The obtained results highlighted that the addition of Zn or Mg into the HAp structure enhances the in vitro response of the cp-Ti surface functionalized with NT TiO₂. The contact angle and surface free energy showed that all the developed surfaces have a hydrophilic character in comparison with the cp-Ti surface. The HAp-based coatings doped with Zn registered superior values than the ones with Mg, in terms of biomineralization, electrochemical behavior, and cell interaction. Overall, it can be said that the addition of Mg or Zn can enhance the in vitro behavior of the HAp-based coatings in accordance with clinical requirements. Antibacterial tests showed that the proposed HAp-Mg coatings had no efficiency against Escherichia coli, while the HAp-Zn coatings registered the highest antibacterial efficiency.

From 2004 to 2005, 60%–72% of invasive Staphylococcus aureus isolates from Romanian hospitals were resistant to methicillin (methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]), the highest frequency for any European nation. Few reports, however, have addressed the molecular characteristics of S. aureus in Romania. In this study, we utilized spa typing, multilocus sequence typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCC mec ) typing, dru typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and detection of virulence factors to characterize 146 S. aureus strains isolated from 2004 to 2005 at the Clinic County Hospital in Braşov. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns for all MRSA isolates and patient demographic data were also obtained. Fifty-six strains (38.4%) were determined to be MRSA by susceptibility testing and SCC mec typing. All MRSA strains were resistant to beta-lactams and tetracycline, but susceptible to nitrofurans, vancomycin, and clindamycin, with inducible clindamycin resistance in 23/28 clindamycin-sensitive/erythromycin-resistant isolates. Molecular typing identified 15 clonal backgrounds (CC 1, 5, 8, 8/239, 9, 15, 20, 22, 25, 30, 45, 80, 97, 101, and 121), only 4 of which were associated with MRSA (CC 1, 8/239, 30, and 80). Spa types 35 (t127, CC 1) and 351 (t030, CC 8/239) accounted for 27.4% and 21.9% of all S. aureus strains, respectively, and 19.6% and 57.1% of all MRSA strains. Both hospital-associated (SCC mec type III) and community-associated (SCC mec type IV) elements were identified within MRSA strains, whereas Panton-Valentine leukocidin was detected in 10 MRSA and 12 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus strains. These results demonstrate the presence of various endemic S. aureus clones within the Clinic County Hospital in Braşov, suggestive of ongoing nosocomial and community transmission.

The increasing occurrence of infections caused by pathogens found on objects of everyday use requires a variety of solutions for active disinfection. Using active materials that do not require daily maintenance has a potential advantage for their acceptance. In this contribution, transparent films, with silver as the main antimicrobial agent and a total thickness of a few tens of nm, were deposited on flexible self-adhesive polymer foils used as screen protectors. TiO₂ and SiO₂ were used as transparent matrix to embed the Ag nanoparticles, ensuring also their mechanical protection and controlled growth. HiPIMS (High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) was used for the sputtering of the Ag target and fine control of the Ag amount in the layer, whereas TiO₂ and SiO₂ were sputtered in RF (Radio Frequency) mode. The thin film surface was investigated by AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), providing information on the topography of the coatings and their preferential growth on the textured polymer foil. XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) revealed the presence of specific Ag peaks in an amorphous oxide matrix. UV-Vis-NIR (Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared) spectroscopy revealed the presence of nanostructured Ag, characterized by preferential absorption in the 400 to 500 nm spectral range. The antimicrobial properties were assessed using an antimicrobial test with the Escherichia coli strain. The highest efficiency was observed for the Ag/SiO₂ combination, in the concentration range of 10⁴–10⁵ CFU/mL.