Development of a High-Throughput Flow Biofilm Reactor System for the Study of Bacteria Interference against Uropathogenic Colonization on Silicone Urinary Catheters

The prevention of pathogenic colonization on medical devices remains a significant challenge, especially in high-nutrient environments that influence biofouling. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) represent common infections that patients contract from indwelling catheters. In this project, an experimental system was designed to use bacterial interference with benign E. coli to prevent CAUTIs under conditions paralleling those in vivo. The system contains three main parts: an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection subsystem; a 100L artificial urine preparation, storage, and flow guiding subsystem; and a 34-channel catheter array. The key part is the array of 34 Foley silicone catheters, modified with a propynylphenyl mannoside derivative that promotes the formation of fim+ E. coli 83972 biofilms inside catheter surfaces. Catheters will be challenged by at least three multidrug-resistant, uropathogenic isolates under a flow of artificial urine at a constant rate up to four weeks. Samples will be collected from each catheter, and bacterial plate counting will determine the potency of benign E. coli biofilms in reducing uropathogenic colonization. We expect this biofilm flow reactor system to be applicable to studying other types of biofilms found in water treatment systems and the environment. The construction and testing of the model system will be presented.