PATHOGENS
cleanliness matters. Surfaces that look clean, like control panels or bed rails, can still host these persistent microbes. Incorporating antimicrobial technology during manufacturing offers a layer of action against microbial contamination. While it does not replace cleaning or medical treatment, it works continuously in the background to help keep treated materials fresher for longer by inhibiting the growth of microbes over time.
The emerging threat of Candida auris beyond ESKAPE Candida auris (C. auris) has become a worrying threat that requires the same attention to healthcare-associated infections, even though ESKAPE pathogens are the most talked about. Since first being identified in 2009, this multidrug-resistant fungus has quickly emerged throughout medical facilities across the globe, gaining the nickname ‘super fungus’ for its capacity to withstand standard cleaning procedures and endure on surfaces for prolonged periods of time. In contrast to numerous other Candida
species, C. auris can thrive on bed rails, medical equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces, establishing a continuous reservoir for possible transmission. The challenge of precise laboratory identification and a shortage of available treatment options increase its resilience. For infection prevention experts, the
rise of C. auris highlights the necessity of addressing fungal pathogens that take advantage of similar gaps in hygiene practices as well as bacterial threats like ESKAPE. The risk of C. auris establishing itself in healthcare settings can be decreased with the use of efficient surface hygiene techniques, particularly those that combine strict cleaning schedules with antimicrobial technologies. According to David Hall, BioCote’s managing director: “In healthcare, the challenge is no longer just cleaning what you can see, it’s about understanding the invisible threats that persist on surfaces long after routine disinfection. Pathogens like the ESKAPE group and Candida auris don’t just survive; they adapt to their environment. This is why material innovation and surface science are becoming essential parts of infection prevention strategies.”
Surface protection with antimicrobial technology Antimicrobial technology is a built-in material enhancement that contributes to improved product performance in healthcare settings. By helping to reduce the levels of microbes that can lead to surface degradation, discolouration, or unpleasant odours, the technology supports both the durability and
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Even small improvements in surface hygiene can have an impact on patient confidence
perceived cleanliness of products used in high-touch environments. Whether incorporated into the surface or applied as a coating, antimicrobial technology works continuously to reduce the presence of microbes by up to 99.9 per cent without altering key product features such as aesthetics, recyclability, or usability. Antimicrobial technology is compatible with a wide range of materials commonly found in healthcare environments, including plastics, paints, coatings, and textiles, making it a versatile option for companies seeking to enhance the performance their product range. This antimicrobial technology operates
through a well-understood mode of action grounded in established microbiological science. Once integrated into a surface, it works continuously to reduce microbial loading by interfering with key cellular functions essential to the survival and growth of contaminating microorganisms. Technology such as BioCote
incorporates silver-based active substances, which are widely recognised for their effectiveness and long-term stability in antimicrobial applications. These silver ions are embedded during the manufacturing process and become available at the surface, where they can interact with any contaminating microbes that come into contact with the material.
Membrane breakdown When silver ions are present on a treated surface, and a contaminating microbe makes contact, the ions may start interacting with the microbe’s outer membrane. This barrier plays a key role in maintaining the microbe’s internal balance, its structure and what it lets in or out. When disrupted, its permeability can increase, and in some cases, things start to leak out. That’s usually a sign the cell’s losing structural control.
Disruption of basic internal systems If silver ions make it inside the cell, they can bind with various enzymes and proteins. These are typically involved in how the cell creates energy and processes nutrients, core functions, essentially. When these start to break down, the cell cannot perform as it should. You tend to see a decrease in biological activity at this point.
Interference with DNA There is also evidence that silver ions may interfere with DNA inside the microbe. This affects its ability to replicate and repair itself. Without those functions, it becomes harder for the microbe to recover or multiply effectively.
Oxidative stress In certain conditions, silver ions may also lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These are unstable molecules that create stress inside the cell. They can damage components like DNA, lipids, and proteins, compounding the effects already caused by membrane and enzyme disruption.
Putting it all together
When these mechanisms act at the same time – membrane disruption, interference with internal systems, DNA interaction, and oxidative stress – this overwhelms the microbe’s defences. Because antimicrobial technology disrupts multiple cellular systems simultaneously, the chance of microbes developing is significantly reduced compared to single-mode-of- action antimicrobials. This makes it far less likely that a contaminating organism would adapt or develop resistance in the same way it might when exposed to a single-mode agent. Of course, it is worth being clear:
antimicrobial technology does not sterilise surfaces, and it is not a substitute for regular cleaning. What it does do is offer a consistent, built-in layer of protection that helps slow down the build-up of microbial contamination in between cleaning routines, especially in environments where constant manual cleaning is not always realistic. This scientifically supported mechanism reinforces the technology’s role in enhancing material performance and supporting improved hygiene outcomes through product design.
Real-world evidence: reducing microbes in a hospital setting In two outpatient units of the same UK hospital, everything was identical; patient numbers, staff expertise, and daily cleaning routines, except for one subtle difference: the surfaces. Over time, subtle differences begin to emerge. In Unit A, surfaces such as door handles, light switches, blinds, and worktops are treated with BioCote antimicrobial technology. In Unit B, the control unit, everything is the same, except the products remain untreated. Both units are cleaned daily, yet the microscopic world tells a different story. Over an 18-month period at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, these two units became the setting for a real- world trial to evaluate the impact of antimicrobial technology on surface microbial levels. Regular swabbing and independent
laboratory analysis revealed that Unit A consistently harboured fewer microbes on
IFHE DIGEST 2026
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