In vitro Dynamic Model of a Catheterized Bladder and Biofilm Assay

Biofilm formation on catheters is thought to contribute to persistence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) which represent the most frequent nosocomial infections. Understanding of factors relevant for CAUTI pathogenesis and evaluation of new therapeutics or interference strategies requires a model system that mirrors the physico-chemical conditions prevailing in a catheterized human bladder. The described in vitro dynamic model of a catheterized bladder enables to emulate many of the characteristics of a catheterized human bladder albeit in the absence of a bladder epithelium. A minor modification compared to the original model system (Stickler, et al., 1999) allows temperature maintenance of the top 10 cm of the catheter, thereby enabling reproducible monitoring of biofilm formation on the internal catheter surface.