Why do hospital germs bind more strongly to certain surfaces than to others?

(Saarland University) Multiresistant bacteria are a serious problem in hospital and healthcare environments. By forming a biofilm, these pathogens can colonize door handles and light switches and their presence on medical implants can lead to serious cases of post-operative infection. A team of physicists at Saarland University has now shown why hospital germs adhere strongly to surfaces from which water simply rolls off, but bind so poorly to surfaces that are easily wetted by water.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news