title: Biofilm: the microbial "bunker" for intravascular catheter-related infection.
abstract: Catheter-related infection in cancer patients remains an important health-care problem with major financial implications. During the last few years a better understanding of the pathogenesis of catheter-related infections and the interaction between microorganisms and catheter surfaces has emerged. Recently the influence of biofilm formation in catheter-related infections has been established. The development of biofilm by the colonizing microbes permits attachment of the organisms to the vascular access device and confers resistance to antibiotics and host defense mechanisms. Strategies to overcome the development of biofilm are being developed to prevent catheter- and other medical device-related infections.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Service, University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. mmoralesg@comtf.es
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Méndez-Alvarez
authors.forename: Juana-Victoria
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Martín-López
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marrero
authors.forename: César O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Freytes
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors