title: [Microbiological diagnosis of medical device-associated infections].
abstract: The use of surgically implanted medical devices has increased greatly over the last few years. Despite surgical advances and improvements in the materials and design of devices, infection continues to be a major complication of their use. Device-associated infections are produced mainly during their implantation and, are caused by microorganisms that are part of the skin flora. Biofilm development on device surfaces is the most important factor to explain the pathophysiological aspects of infection. Microbiological diagnosis is difficult and can often only be achieved after removal of the device. Sonication of the removed device may be a useful tool, since this procedure dislodges and disaggregates biofilm bacteria from the device. Molecular techniques, especially PCR, applied to the tissues and material obtained after sonication have shown to have a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of cardiovascular device infections.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España. Electronic address: m@marinadecueto.e.telefonica.net.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Cueto-López
authors.affiliation: Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España.
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Del Pozo-León
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Microbiología, Unidad de Gestión Clínica (UGC) Laboratorios Clínicos, Hospital General de Riotinto, Minas de Riotinto, Huelva España.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franco-Álvarez de Luna
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología Clínica y Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marin-Arriaza
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D020878:Device Removal; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013010:Sonication
keywords: Biocapa; Biofilm; Device-associated infections; Dispositivos biomédicos; Infección asociada a dispositivos; Medical devices; Sonicación; Sonication