Biofilms associated with human cells or tissues, such as the oral cavity, digestive tract, or skin, and those that colonize inert surfaces, such as implants, prostheses or catheters and represent more than 60% of hospital-acquired infections, need to be clearly dis-tinguished. Strategies used to manage these two types of biofilms reflect this difference [i,ii,iii]. In the latter case, biofilm structure and development depend on surface and nature of the medical device. The presence of an infection is often the major cause of implant failure [ii, iii].
The “Modification of surface properties” category is related to strategies that involve an alteration of the surface of medical devices to hamper biofilm colonization [iv], for examples with polymers coating. These preventive approaches are found in reviews (3.1%) and trials (1.3%). Catheters modification with antibiotics is an example tested in clinical trials.
Dongari-Bagtzoglou, A. Pathogenesis of mucosal biofilm infections: challenges and progress. Expert Rev. Anti-infect. Ther. 2008, 6(2), 201-208.
Neu, T. R.; Van der Mei, H. C.; Busscher, H. J. Biofilms associated with health. In Biofilms—Science and Technology. 1992, 21-34. Springer, Dordrecht.
Veerachamy, S.; Yarlagadda, T.; Manivasagam, G.; Yarlagadda, P. K. Bacterial adherence and biofilm formation on medical implants: a review. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. H, 2004, 228(10), 1083-1099.
Zhang, Z.; Wagner, V.E. Antimicrobial Coatings and Modifications on Medical Devices. Berlin, Springer. 2017.