Permanent, antimicrobial coating to rapidly kill and prevent transmission of bacteria, fungi, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Microbial adhesion and contamination on shared surfaces can lead to life-threatening infections with serious impacts on public health, economy, and clinical practices. The traditional use of chemical disinfectants for sanitization of surfaces, however, comes with its share of health risks, such as hazardous effects on the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, carcinogenicity, as well as environmental toxicity. To address this, we have developed a nonleaching quaternary small molecule (QSM)-based sprayable coating which can be fabricated on a wide range of surfaces such as nylon, polyethylene, surgical mask, paper, acrylate, and rubber in a one-step, photocuring technique. This contact-active coating killed pathogenic bacteria and fungi including drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans within 15–30 min of contact. QSM coatings withstood multiple washes, highlighting their durability. Interestingly, the coated surfaces exhibited rapid killing of pathogens, leading to the prevention of their transmission upon contact. The coating showed membrane disruption of bacterial cells in fluorescence and electron microscopic investigations. Along with bacteria and fungi, QSM-coated surfaces also showed the complete killing of high loads of influenza (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2 viruses within 30 min of exposure. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a coating for multipurpose materials applied in high-touch public places, hospital equipment, and clinical consumables, rapidly killing drug-resistant bacteria, fungi, influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2.