To determine the composition and site of initiation of bacterial biofilm location on indwelling urinary catheters, and to track biofilm progression over time.

Indwelling urinary catheters were collected from two tertiary care centers following removal from patients. Indwelling time was noted, and catheters were de-identified. Catheters were sectioned, stained for biofilms, and analyzed using spectrophotometry and visualization. Biofilm colonization patterns were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses and bacterial composition was determined using next-generation sequencing.

33 catheters from 26 males and 7 females were collected with indwelling times ranging from 15 minutes to 43 days and analyzed. Biofilm colonization was consistently high on the region of the balloon throughout indwelling times. After week 1, the distal third of the catheter had higher biofilm colonization than the proximal third (week 2: p=0.034). At all indwelling times, the intraluminal surface of the catheter had greater biofilm colonization than the outer surface. Next-generation sequencing detected potential uropathogenic bacteria in 10 of 10 analyzed samples.

The catheter balloon, its distal aspect, and its lumen were the predominant locations of biofilms, comprised of uropathogenic bacteria. Strategies to prevent or treat biofilms should be targeted to these areas.

The Journal of urology. 2019 Aug 20 [Epub ahead of print]

Glenn T Werneburg, Anh Nguyen, Nadine S Henderson, Raymond R Rackley, Daniel A Shoskes, Amanda L Le Sueur, Anthony T Corcoran, Aaron E Katz, Jason Kim, Annie J Rohan, David G Thanassi

Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York., Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York., Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio., Department of Urology, NYU Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York., Department of Urology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York., School of Nursing, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York.

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