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Practical measures to control device-related bacterial infections
J W Costerton1, A E Khoury, K H Ward
1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The International Journal of Artificial Organs
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Bacterial biofilms on medical devices cause persistent infections resistant to antibiotics. A novel bioelectric technology shows promise for preventing and treating these challenging device-related infections.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Chronic bacterial infections are often associated with medical devices.
- Causative bacteria form slime-enclosed biofilms, which are resistant to host defenses and antibiotics.
- Established device-related infections are difficult to treat and may necessitate device removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the challenges of treating device-related bacterial infections.
- To explore novel therapeutic strategies beyond conventional antibiotic approaches.
- To introduce a new bioelectric technology for infection prevention and control.
Main Methods:
- Examination of medical devices with chronic infections to study biofilm formation.
- Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Biofilm Eliminating Concentration (BEC) for causative organisms.
- In vitro development and testing of a new bioelectric technology.
Main Results:
- Biofilms are the predominant growth mode in device-related infections, conferring resistance.
- Therapeutic strategies must consider both planktonic (MIC) and biofilm (BEC) eradication.
- Early device removal is crucial if BEC cannot be achieved.
- The novel bioelectric technology demonstrated effectiveness in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Device-related bacterial infections are primarily biofilm-mediated and challenging to treat.
- Effective treatment requires targeting both planktonic bacteria and biofilms.
- A new bioelectric technology offers a promising in vitro solution for preventing and controlling these infections.
- Further in vivo validation is necessary to confirm clinical efficacy.