Biofilms and infection in dialysis patients

Semin Dial. 2002 Sep-Oct;15(5):338-46. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-139x.2002.00084.x.

Abstract

Biofilm bacterial infections are implicated in most human bacterial infections and are also common in patients undergoing treatment with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Skin bacteria, which grow into microcolonies with biofilm formation in dialysis environments, are implicated in most of these infections. Dissemination of bacterial biofilms in hemodialysis patients induces bacteremia and endotoxemia. In peritoneal dialysis patients, biofilm causes peritonitis and catheter-related infections with consequent loss of catheters and technique failure. Effective strategies for the diagnosis, intervention, and prevention of biofilm-related infections in dialysis patients are described in this review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control*
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Catheters, Indwelling / microbiology*
  • Equipment Contamination / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / physiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy*
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Peritoneal Dialysis / adverse effects*
  • Peritoneal Dialysis / methods
  • Primary Prevention / methods*
  • Prognosis
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects*
  • Renal Dialysis / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents