Chitosan/poly (vinyl pyrollidone) (CHI/PVP) coatings were prepared to improve the antibacterial properties of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by a simple dip-coating method. The binding capability of CHI/PVP coatings was enhanced by successively pretreatment of PET by polyetherimide and polyacrylic acid and crosslinking. Measurements of water contact angle and atomic force microscope revealed that the coatings created a highly hydrophilic surface with low roughness. Adherences of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) on PET with CHI/PVP coating were significantly reduced. Bactericidal activity of CHI/PVP coatings was good against E. coli and S. aureus and the adding of PVP obviously increased its antiadhesion property. In vitro cytotoxicity tests, cell morphology and activity evaluation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed that CHI/PVP coatings had good biocompatibility. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.