Catheter-related infection
in cancer patients remains an important health-care problem with major
financial implications. During the last
few years a better understanding of
the pathogenesis of catheter-related
infections and the interaction between microorganisms and catheter
surfaces has emerged. Recently the
influence of biofilm formation in
catheter-related infections has been
established. The development of
biofilm by the colonizing microbes
permits attachment of the organisms
to the vascular access device and
confers resistance to antibiotics and
host defense mechanisms. Strategies
to overcome the development of
biofilm are being developed to prevent catheter- and other medical device-related infections.
