Understanding Biofilms and Novel Approaches to the Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Medical Device-Associated Infections

Yu Mi Wi, Robin Patel

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Treatment of medical device-related infections is challenging and recurrence is common. The main reason for this is that microorganisms adhere to the surfaces of medical devices and enter into a biofilm state in which they display distinct growth rates, structural features, and protection from antimicrobial agents and host immune mechanisms compared with their planktonic counterparts. This article reviews how microorganisms form biofilms and the mechanisms of protection against antimicrobial agents and the host immune system provided by biofilms. Also discussed are innovative strategies for the diagnosis of biofilm-associated infection and novel approaches to treatment and prevention of medical device-associated infections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)915-929
Number of pages15
JournalInfectious Disease Clinics of North America
Volume32
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2018

Keywords

  • Biofilm
  • Extracellular polymeric substance
  • Extracellular polymeric substance targeting therapy
  • Medical device-associated infection
  • Physical–mechanical approach
  • Surface-coating or eluting substrate
  • Tolerance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Understanding Biofilms and Novel Approaches to the Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Medical Device-Associated Infections'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this