Devices to fight catheter-related infections

Authors

  • Patrícia C. Henriques i3S/INEB
  • Margarida Ferreira i3S/INEB
  • Inês C. Gonçalves i3S/INEB

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5821/sibb.29.1.10917

Abstract

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) affect ~1.7 M people in the USA and 4.1 M in Europe, contributing to 99,000 and 37,000 deaths/year, respectively. Catheter-related infections are the most frequent cause of HAI, leading to life-threatening complications and colossal medical costs. Current prevention/treatment options – sterilization protocols, lock solutions, systemic antibiotic administration – are inefficient and lead to bacterial resistance, a huge threat to public health. This review addresses the existing solutions in the market – mostly catheter caps –, and emerging alternatives, to fight catheter-related infections. Graphene-based biomaterials arise as interesting weapons against these infections, particularly in combination with light: their photothermal and photodynamic properties boost their own antimicrobial action, allowing them to kill bacteria without contributing to bacterial resistance.

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Published

2023-01-10

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Section

Artículos