First report of macroscopic biofilm formation caused by Candida albicans on silver hydrogel-coated urinary catheters

Am J Infect Control. 2016 Oct 1;44(10):1174-1175. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.03.042. Epub 2016 May 17.

Abstract

We report macroscopic biofilms on silver hydrogel-coated urinary catheters in 2 patients from 2 different intensive care units. The catheters were removed on observation of a white, jelly layer on the catheters, respectively, 9 and 21 days after insertion. Yeast cells and pseudohyphal structures were observed with microscopy. Both isolates were identified as Candida albicans. To our knowledge, these are the first cases demonstrating the formation of macroscopic biofilm layers on silver nitrate-coated catheters in the literature.

Keywords: Candida albicans; biofilm; urinary catheter.

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects*
  • Candida albicans / growth & development
  • Candida albicans / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / pharmacology*
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Silver / pharmacology
  • Urinary Catheters / microbiology*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
  • Silver