Chitosan-Based Polymer Coatings for Antimicrobial Catheter Surfaces

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 04 | Page :
By

Aishwarya D. Jagtap,

AHM Vishwanath Swamy,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Krishna Institute of Science and Technology, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth “Deemed to be University”, Taluka-Karad, Dist-Satara, Maharashtra, India
  2. Principal, Department of Pharmacology, KLE College of Pharmacy, Hubballi, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Catheter-associated infections (CAIs) remain a major clinical challenge. Microbial adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation on catheter surfaces significantly reduce the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy, resulting in prolonged hospitalization, increased healthcare costs, and higher patient morbidity. Consequently, the development of antimicrobial polymer coatings has emerged as an effective strategy for minimizing catheter-associated infections while improving device performance. Among the various biomaterials investigated, chitosan has attracted considerable attention owing to its intrinsic antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, film-forming ability, and ease of chemical modification. The cationic nature of chitosan enables strong interactions with negatively charged microbial cell membranes, thereby inhibiting microbial adhesion, disrupting biofilm formation, and enhancing antimicrobial efficacy. Recent advances in polymer engineering have further expanded the potential of chitosan through the development of graft copolymers, crosslinked networks, nanocomposite coatings, and drug-loaded polymeric systems that exhibit improved mechanical stability, controlled drug release, and prolonged antimicrobial activity. Advanced fabrication approaches, including dip coating, layer-by-layer assembly, plasma-assisted surface modification, electrospinning, and three-dimensional printing, have enabled the design of multifunctional catheter coatings with enhanced surface properties and long-term performance. This review critically discusses the structure–property relationships of chitosan-based polymer coatings, fabrication strategies, antimicrobial mechanisms, characterization approaches, and recent advances in catheter surface engineering. Current challenges associated with coating durability, large-scale manufacturing, reproducibility, and regulatory approval are also examined, together with future opportunities for developing multifunctional and clinically translatable antimicrobial polymer coatings for next-generation catheter technologies.

Keywords: Chitosan, Polymer Coatings, Antimicrobial Catheters, Biofilm Inhibition, Biocompatibility, Nanocomposites, Drug Delivery, Catheter-Associated Infections, Biomedical Polymers.

How to cite this article: Aishwarya D. Jagtap, AHM Vishwanath Swamy. Chitosan-Based Polymer Coatings for Antimicrobial Catheter Surfaces. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(04):-.
How to cite this URL: Aishwarya D. Jagtap, AHM Vishwanath Swamy. Chitosan-Based Polymer Coatings for Antimicrobial Catheter Surfaces. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(04):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=255683

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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
04
Received 13/07/2026
Accepted 27/08/2026
Published 15/09/2026
Publication Time 64 Days

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