| Nosocomial, or hospital acquired, infections, are ubiquitous within the modern clinical setting leading to over ;The evidence presented implicates PAC as a molecule of interest for the development of novel biomaterials with increased resistance to bacteria colonization.;This thesis demonstrates the effectivity of North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) derived proanthocyanidins in preventing the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to biomaterial surfaces. Specifically, using a model of catheter associated urinary tract infection, significant reductions in initial adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis to PVC and PTFE were observed. With the application of colloidal theory, a mechanism of steric interference was determined as responsible for these effects. |
