Medical Device-Associated Bacterial Infections
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Bacterial Pathogens".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 2170
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Medical devices are the cause for a significant portion of nosocomial infections, posing a serious financial burden on healthcare systems due to prolonged hospital stays, repeat surgeries, and increased morbidity and mortality to patients. While infections are associated with the introduction of many types of medical devices, the most common ones include the placement of endotracheal tubes, vascular devices, and urethral catheters.
All cases of medical device-associated infections are the result of complex interactions between pathogen and device surface, which may be direct interactions or facilitated by a layer of organic and/or inorganic compounds deposited from the surrounding environment. In the case of vascular devices and urinary devices, both blood and urine are complex media consisting of several components that deposit in the surface of indwelling devices shortly following introduction, providing a multitude of attachment options for bacteria also introduced at the time of device insertion/implantation. Subsequent bacterial growth and biofilm formation form a continuous reservoir for bacteria to release individual bacteria and form new biofilms along the device.
This sets the stage for very serious infections that, given the association with well-established biofilms, are difficult to treat, especially when strains that are resistant to single or multiple antibiotics are involved. The resultant serious and prolonged infections significantly increase the risk for sepsis and death.
Over the years, several attempts have been made to prevent medical device-associated infections, including the development of novel material or coating technologies.
In this regard, the Special Issue on “Medical Device-Associated Infections” aims at all aspects covering this topic, including papers focusing on the development of novel strategies/technologies to prevent bacterial interaction (adhesion, colonization biofilm formation) with the device surface and associated infection, including associated immune responses and clinical outcomes.
Dr. Dirk Lange
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- medical device infections
- biofilms
- conditioning film
- material coatings
- infection-associated immune responses
