Researchers report that an endotracheal tube with the photosensitizer curcumin coated on its surface inactivates up to 95% of bacteria when illuminated, suggesting that such a device may help prevent hospital-acquired infection and ventilator-associated pneumonia; the device may also prevent the need for excessive use of antibiotic treatment and the associated development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, according to the authors.
Article #20-06759: "Avoiding ventilator-associated pneumonia: Curcumin-functionalized endotracheal tube and photodynamic action," by Amanda C. Zangirolami et al.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Vanderlei S. Bagnato, University of São Paulo, BRAZIL; e-mail: < vander@ifsc.usp.br >
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences