DEVELOPMENT OF NEEM-BASED ANTIBACTERIAL PVA–GRAPHENE COATINGS FOR INFECTION-RESISTANT PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETERS

Catheter-associated infections continue to pose a significant challenge in peritoneal dialysis (PD), prompting the development of advanced antibacterial surface coatings to enhance device safety and clinical performance. In this research, a biocompatible antibacterial catheter coating was developed using neem-derived bioactive compounds integrated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and graphene. Four distinct coating formulations were fabricated by incorporating varying concentrations of neem extract (5 g, 10 g, 15 g, and 20 g) into the PVA–graphene matrix. The antibacterial performance of the coated catheters was experimentally evaluated using an antibiotic susceptibility assay against Escherichia coli, with antibacterial efficacy quantified by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI). The results revealed a concentration-dependent antibacterial response, demonstrating progressive enhancement in bacterial growth inhibition with increasing neem content. The lowest neem concentration produced a ZOI of 0.1 mm, while the highest concentration achieved a ZOI of 0.4 mm, indicating a substantial improvement compared to the neem-free control. The incorporation of neem extract effectively enhanced the antibacterial functionality of the coating, suggesting its capability to inhibit bacterial adhesion and potential biofilm formation on catheter surfaces. These findings highlight the applicability of neem-based antibacterial coatings as a promising strategy for reducing catheter-related infections in PD, warranting further optimization and long-term performance evaluation for clinical translation.