Movement of pseudomonas aeruginosa along catheter surfaces. A mechanism in pathogenesis of catheter-associated infection.

The etiologic mechanism involved in the establishment of catheter-associated bacteriuria is suggested in this in vitro study of the movement of Pseudomonas aeruginosa along a catheter surface against a flowing artificial urine milieu in the presence and absence of antibiotics. Following a lag phase, during which a bacterial biofilm becomes firmly established at a site of contamination, the bacteria ascend the surface of the Foley catheters in a rapidly expanding coherent biofilm. The speed of the bacterial ascent is increased as a result of turbulence-associated planktonic saltatory bacterial movement within the urine column. Bacteriocidal concentrations of antibiotics in the urine can slow down the bacterial ascent, but they do not preclude it.