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

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections. Biofilm formation on urinary catheters is a key aspect in the pathogenesis of these infections, and frequently leads to blockage of catheters and serious complications such as pyelonephritis and septicaemia. Approaches to model and study biofilm formation in this setting are essential for both a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the pathogenesis of CAUTI, as well as the development and robust pre-clinical evaluation of effective therapeutic strategies to control CAUTI and catheter blockage. This protocol describes an in vitro model of the catheterized urinary tract, which replicates the catheter closed drainage system as used in clinical practice, facilitating the study of CAUTI and catheter biofilm formation under representative conditions. Furthermore, this protocol details the application of the in vitro bladder model to evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial catheter maintenance products, including products currently available on the NHS supply chain.