Scientific publications
Microbiological diagnosis of medical device-associated infections. Scientific Publication
de Cueto-López M(1), Del Pozo-León JL(2), Franco-Álvarez de Luna F(3), Marin-Arriaza M(4).
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.
CITATION Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2016 Dec;34(10):655-660. doi: 10.1016/j.eimc.2015.02.012. Epub 2015 Mar 29.