New Technique Could Reduce Biofilm-Related Infections in Hospitals

Published on November 1, 2015

Each year, 1.7 million people in the U.S. fall victim to biofilm-related infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 100,000 of the 1.7 million infected die annually. With so many people suffering from infections with bacterial or fungal biofilms, this problem has emerged as a major public heath concern because biofilm-growing cells are highly resistant to both antibiotics and host immune defenses. However, researchers believe they have found a solution to this growing problem: a new technique to prevent biofilms on catheters and medical implants.

If successful, this could result in a major reduction in biofilm-related infections, other hospital-acquired diseases, and death. Research published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, shows that coating implants with “tissue plasminogen activator” can prevent Staphylococcus aureus, the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, from forming biofilms. That’s because the Staphylococcus aureus hijacks the human clotting system to create a scaffold of micro-clots to support the growing biofilm.

Researchers hypothesized that if they forced the human body to start dissolving those clots, they could prevent biofilm-related infections from developing. After coating catheters with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which activates the clot-dissolving protein called plasminogen, and implanting those catheters in laboratory mice, the hypothesis was proven correct. Researchers believe this is just the start. This clot-busting method could be applied to biofilms of pathogens other than S. aureus – a step in the right direction in reducing biofilm-related infections in hospitals.

Americans put their faith in the professionalism of hospitals, doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other staff, but that faith is not always deserved. Medical mistakes happen in U.S. hospitals every day and people suffer and die as a result. If you or someone you love has fallen victim to a hospital-acquired infection caused by a negligent act, give our expert Phoenix hospital malpractice lawyers at Knapp & Roberts a call today at 480-991-7677. We will walk you through your legal options during a free initial consultation.