Catheter-associated urinary tract infections: impact of catheter materialson their management

Infection associated with an indwelling catheter is a representative type o f biofilm infection occurring in the urinary tract. Since the most effectiv e way to control this intractable infection is the prevention of bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation on the catheter, the importance of catheter materials and anti-bacterial coating cannot be underestimated. The difference in the degree of bacterial attachment among standard cathet er materials, the efficacy of silver-coating of catheters in preventing inf ection and the potency and effectiveness of a new lecithin/silver coating a re discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. and International Society of C hemotherapy. All rights reserved.