CHAPTER 5: Antibacterial Polymers

The prevention of bacterial infections has been one of the most important considerations in the field of medical services and healthcare where, in some cases, infections can easily lead to death. Our immune system is able to protect the body during an infection. People with weaker immune systems, such as infants or the elderly, are particularly susceptible to infection. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are evolving, have mutated and developed resistance to current antibiotics. This brings a need to find another method of killing bacteria more effectively. There has been great development in the area of antibacterial polymers as antimicrobial agents. This chapter will focus on the development of antibacterial polymers for the inhibition and eradication of bacteria. Antibacterial polymers are polymers that possess antibacterial properties that are able to inhibit bacteria growth, or even kill bacteria. In this chapter, we will look at antibacterial polymers which can be classified into 3 different groups: (1) polymers with inherent antibacterial activity (2) chemically modified polymers and (3) addition of antibacterial agents.