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Updated: May 12, 2026
High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices
Published on: November 5, 2016
Molecular investigation of bacterial communities on the inner and outer surfaces of peripheral venous catheters
L Zhang1, M Morrison, G R Nimmo
1Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. li.zhang@griffith.edu.au
Abstract:
Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are some of the most widely used medical devices in hospitals worldwide. PVC-related infections increase morbidity and treatment costs. The inner surfaces of PVCs are rarely examined for the population structure of bacteria, as it is generally believed that bacteria at this niche are similar to those on the external surface of PVCs. We primarily test this hypothesis and also study the effect of antibiotic treatment on bacterial communities from PVC surfaces. The inner and outer surfaces of PVCs from 15 patients were examined by 454 GS FLX Titanium 16S rRNA sequencing and the culture method. None of the PVCs were colonised according to the culture method and none of the patients had a bacteraemia. From a total of 127,536 high-quality sequence reads, 14 bacterial phyla and 268 diverse bacterial genera were detected. The number of operational taxonomic units for each sample was in the range of 86-157, even though 60 % of patients had received antibiotic treatment. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was the predominant bacterial species in all the examined PVC samples. There were noticeable but not statistically significant differences between the inner and outer surfaces of PVCs in terms of the distribution of the taxonomic groups. In addition, the bacterial communities on PVCs from antibiotic-treated patients were significantly different from untreated patients. In conclusion, the surfaces of PVCs display complex bacterial communities. Although their significance has yet to be determined, these findings alter our perception of PVC-related infections.
Insights
Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) harbor complex bacterial communities on both inner and outer surfaces, differing significantly with antibiotic treatment. This challenges previous assumptions about PVC-related infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are crucial medical devices, but PVC-related infections elevate patient morbidity and healthcare costs.
- The bacterial populations on the inner surfaces of PVCs are seldom studied, with a prevailing belief that they mirror external surface bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that inner and outer PVC surfaces harbor similar bacterial communities.
- To analyze the impact of antibiotic therapy on the bacterial composition of PVC surfaces.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing (454 GS FLX Titanium) and traditional culture methods were employed.
- Inner and outer surfaces of PVCs from 15 patients were analyzed.
- Bacterial communities were compared between antibiotic-treated and untreated patient groups.
Main Results:
- Culture methods detected no PVC colonization or patient bacteremia.
- High-throughput sequencing revealed diverse bacterial communities (14 phyla, 268 genera) on PVCs, even with antibiotic use.
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was the dominant species across all samples.
- Bacterial communities on PVCs from antibiotic-treated patients showed significant differences compared to untreated patients.
Conclusions:
- PVC surfaces harbor complex and diverse bacterial communities, contrary to prior assumptions.
- Antibiotic treatment significantly alters the bacterial landscape on PVCs.
- These findings necessitate a re-evaluation of the understanding and management of PVC-related infections.
