Host-Dependent Diversity Of Bacterial Communities Found To Be Colonizing Biliary Stents

A consequence of the different cancers of the hepatobiliary system is blocked bile ducts. However, artificial catheters known as “stents” can remediate this problem. Stents are medical implants which reopen narrowed bile ducts to allow the outflow of bile. However, bacteria colonize these catheters forming dense communities, so-called biofilms. Inside these biofilms, bacteria are not only protected from the immune response initiated by the host but also from antibiotics.

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Filed under: GastroIntestinal / Gastroentorology on May 12th, 2009