Biofilm-based infections in long-term care facilities

Future Microbiol. 2014;9(2):175-88. doi: 10.2217/fmb.13.149.

Abstract

The recent trend in the early admittance to long-term care facilities (LTCFs) of severely injured patients transferred from general hospitals has given a new dynamic to the incidence of healthcare-associated infections, including biofilm-based infections related to the implant of urinary and intravascular catheters, and the onset of pressure ulcers. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections lead in most of the surveys on LTCFs, approximately 80% of urinary tract infections in these settings being due to the short- or long-term insertion of a urinary catheter. Furthermore, the implantation of intravascular catheters is often responsible for catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by the development of an intraluminal biofilm. Pressure ulcers, frequently occurring in bedridden patients admitted to LTCFs, are also susceptible to infection by biofilm-growing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, the biofilm formation on the wound being the main reason for its delayed healing.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Catheter-Related Infections / microbiology*
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / pathogenicity
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / pathology
  • Humans
  • Intermediate Care Facilities
  • Long-Term Care
  • Pressure Ulcer / microbiology*
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology*