Nosocomial Infections and Medical Biofilms

摘要

At the Third International Conference on Bioengineering and Nanotechnology 2007 in Singapore hosted by the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanoteehnology, international experts gathered to share scientific knowledge on areas ranging from drug-delivery systems and artificial organs to biosensors and nanoparticles for bioapplication. One exciting presentation was the work of James Bryers, a professor at the Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington. He revealed that nanotechnology holds promise for tackling the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause an alarming number of hospital-associated infections. Nosocomial - or hospital-acquired - infections represent the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 2 million cases or nearly 10% of patients annually. Some 70% of such infections have links to biomedical implants or indwelling medical devices like catheters, with fatality ratios varying from 5-60%. Infections occur via catheters, wound dressings, injections, intravenous drips, surgery, intratracheal (breathing) tubes, ventilating machines, water systems, and other devices. Documentation going back 15 to 20 years shows a steady increase in nosocomial infections, but more worrying is the increase in infection severity. Overuse of antibiotics causes microorganisms to develop greater defences; what used to be curable has now become more difficult to treat owing to the pathogens' resistance.