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Update on biofilm infections in the urinary tract

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Abstract

Purpose

Biofilm infections have a major role in implants or devices placed in the human body. As part of the endourological development, a great variety of foreign bodies have been designed, and with the increasing number of biomaterial devices used in urology, biofilm formation and device infection is an issue of growing importance.

Methods

A literature search was performed in the Medline database regarding biofilm formation and the role of biofilms in urogenital infections using the following items in different combinations: “biofilm,” “urinary tract infection,” “bacteriuria,” “catheter,” “stent,” and “encrustation.” The studies were graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine classification.

Results

The authors present an update on the mechanism of biofilm formation in the urinary tract with special emphasis on the role of biofilms in lower and upper urinary tract infections, as well as on biofilm formation on foreign bodies, such as catheters, ureteral stents, stones, implants, and artificial urinary sphincters. The authors also summarize the different methods developed to prevent biofilm formation on urinary foreign bodies.

Conclusions

Several different approaches are being investigated for preventing biofilm formation, and some promising results have been obtained. However, an ideal method has not been developed. Future researches have to aim at identifying effective mechanisms for controlling biofilm formation and to develop antimicrobial agents effective against bacteria in biofilms.

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Conflict of interest

All co-authors have seen and agree with the contents of the manuscript, and there is no financial interest to report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, South-Pest Hospital, 1 Koves Str., 1204, Budapest, Hungary

    Peter Tenke, Béla Köves & Károly Nagy

  2. Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO, 63011, USA

    Scott J. Hultgren

  3. Clinics of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vivantes Klinikum Am Urban, Dieffenbachstr. 1, 10967, Berlin, Germany

    Werner Mendling

  4. Department of Urology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, 224 01, Malmö, Sweden

    Björn Wullt & Magnus Grabe

  5. Clinic for Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig-University, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str., 735392, Giessen, Germany

    Florian M. E. Wagenlehner

  6. Trakya Medical Faculty, Department of Urology, 22030, Edirne, Turkey

    Mete Cek

  7. Department of Urology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK

    Robert Pickard

  8. Service d’urologie, Hôpital Foch, 40, rue Worth, 92151, Suresnes, France

    Henry Botto

  9. Technical University of Munich, Arcisstrasse 21, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Kurt G. Naber

  10. Department of Urology, Århus University Hospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgårdsvej 100, 8200, Århus N, Denmark

    Truls E. Bjerklund Johansen

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  1. Peter Tenke
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  2. Béla Köves
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  3. Károly Nagy
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  7. Magnus Grabe
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  8. Florian M. E. Wagenlehner
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  9. Mete Cek
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  10. Robert Pickard
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  11. Henry Botto
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  13. Truls E. Bjerklund Johansen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Tenke.

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Tenke, P., Köves, B., Nagy, K. et al. Update on biofilm infections in the urinary tract. World J Urol 30, 51–57 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-011-0689-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-011-0689-9

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