title: Ventricular shunt infections: immunopathogenesis and clinical management.
abstract: Ventricular shunts are the most common neurosurgical procedure performed in the United States. This hydrocephalus treatment is often complicated by infection of the device with biofilm-forming bacteria. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of shunt infection, as well as the implications of the biofilm formation on treatment and prevention of these infections. Many questions remain, including the contribution of glia and the impact of inflammation on developmental outcomes following infection. Immune responses within the CNS must be carefully regulated to contain infection while minimizing bystander damage; further study is needed to design optimal treatment strategies for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA. Electronic address: y.gutierrezmurgas@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Yenis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gutierrez-Murgas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA. Electronic address: jsnowden@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Jessica N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Snowden
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D018441:Biofilms; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: Biofilm; Catheter; Central nervous system; Shunt infection