Abstract
An examination of transitional bladder epithelial cells from 69 urine specimens from 23 spinal cord injury patients showed the presence of adherent bacterial biofilms in 66 cases (96%). All patients were receiving antimicrobial therapy, primarily trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (41 of 69), without any apparent effect on the bladder colonization. The large number of bacteria that emerged with highly virulent and potentially multi-drug resistant characteristics, especially Enterococcus faecalis (33% of isolates), was of concern. These findings raise questions about the proved efficacy and effectiveness of antibiotics against uropathogenic biofilms adherent to tissues.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
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Bacterial Adhesion
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Child
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Spinal Cord Injuries / complications
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Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / pharmacology
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Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use
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Urinary Bladder / microbiology
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Urinary Bladder Diseases / drug therapy
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Urinary Bladder Diseases / microbiology*
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Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy
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Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology*
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Urine / microbiology
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination