A new approach to prevention of STEC infection is based on the synergic effect of combined bactericidal activity of bacteriophages and organic-inorganic hybrid coating of metals. The coatings are characterized by superhydrophilic or superhydrophobic properties and multimodal granularity with the texture incorporating metal oxide nanoparticles and bacteriophages. Superhydrophilic surfaces are characterized by significantly higher bactericidal activity than superhydrophobic ones. The cytotoxicity of superhydrophobic surfaces can be increased due to antibacterial activity of bacteriophages combined with the superhydrophobic characteristics of the materials.
Keywords: STEC infections; antibacterial effect; bacteriophages; organic-inorganic hybrid coatings; superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces.