Urinary catheters and other medical devices associated with the urinary tract such as stents are major contributors to nosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs) as they provide an access path for pathogens to enter the bladder. Considering that catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for approximately 75% of UTIs and that UTIs represent the most common type of healthcare-associated infections, novel anti-infective device technologies are urgently required. The rapid rise of antimicrobial resistance in the context of CAUTIs further highlights the importance of such preventative strategies. In this review, the risk factors for pathogen colonization in the urinary tract are dissected, taking into account the nature and mechanistics of this unique environment. Moreover, the most promising next-generation preventative strategies are critically assessed, focusing in particular on anti-infective surface coatings. Finally, emerging approaches in this field and their likely clinical impact are examined.
Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A. 2023 Oct 26 [Epub]
Lina Duque-Sanchez, Yue Qu, Nicolas H Voelcker, Helmut Thissen
Department of Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria, Australia., Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia., Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.