Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Three-dimensional Patterning of Engineered Biofilms with a Do-it-yourself Bioprinter
08:40

Three-dimensional Patterning of Engineered Biofilms with a Do-it-yourself Bioprinter

Published on: May 16, 2019

9.7K

Development and Characterization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus-Containing Bioprints for Application to

Anthony J Kyser1, Mohamed Y Mahmoud1,2, Nicholas T Johnson3

  • 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, United States.

ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|June 27, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Novel 3D-bioprinted silicone scaffolds loaded with Lactobacillus rhamnosus show promise for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) by releasing antimicrobial compounds and inhibiting pathogen growth.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Microbiology
  • Medical Engineering

Background:

  • Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) represent a significant healthcare challenge, often stemming from pathogen colonization of urinary catheters.
  • Current prevention strategies for CAUTI, including antibiotic coatings, have limitations.
  • Lactobacilli probiotics offer a potential solution through bacterial interference and antimicrobial compound production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To formulate and characterize novel 3D-bioprinted silicone scaffolds containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus).
  • To evaluate the potential of these scaffolds for preventing and treating CAUTI.
  • To assess the sustained release of probiotics and their antimicrobial activity.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of 3D-bioprinted silicone scaffolds incorporating L. rhamnosus using a specific silicone/L. rhamnosus weight-to-weight ratio.
  • In vitro analysis of scaffold mechanical integrity, bacterial recovery over 14 days, and antimicrobial compound production (lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide).
  • Assessment of the antibacterial effect against uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Main Results:

  • The 3D-bioprinted scaffolds demonstrated sustained recovery of viable L. rhamnosus for up to 14 days.
  • Sustained production of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide by the embedded L. rhamnosus was confirmed.
  • The L. rhamnosus-loaded scaffolds exhibited antibacterial effects against uropathogenic E. coli.

Conclusions:

  • 3D bioprinting offers a viable method for incorporating probiotics into silicone-based urinary catheters.
  • These novel scaffolds show potential as an alternative strategy for preventing and treating CAUTI.
  • Further development could lead to innovative urinary catheters with built-in probiotic protection.

Keywords:
3D bioprinting3D printingLactobacillus rhamnosuscatheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)probioticssustained drug deliveryuropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Studying Bacterial Growth in 3D Hydrogel Matrices05:46

Author Spotlight: Studying Bacterial Growth in 3D Hydrogel Matrices

Published on: January 19, 2024

2.3K
An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection07:57

An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Published on: June 24, 2025

179

Related Concept Videos

Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods01:27

Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
Rapid Identification of Pathogens01:25

Rapid Identification of Pathogens

MALDI-TOF MS has transformed clinical microbiology by offering a rapid and reliable method for pathogen identification. The traditional approach to microbial identification typically involves time-consuming culture techniques and biochemical tests, which can delay the initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. MALDI-TOF MS avoids these delays by using characteristic ribosomal protein mass patterns of microbial cells, enabling accurate species-level identification within minutes.Principle...