Gastrointestinal endoscopy
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Gastrointest. Endosc. · Sep 1998
Is there a synergistic effect between mixed bacterial infection in biofilm formation on biliary stents?
Biliary sludge which forms as a result of bacterial adherence and biofilm formation in the biliary system is a recognized cause of blockage of plastic stents. Bacteriological cultures of sludge have revealed a mixed infection with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Animal studies have shown that prophylactic ciprofloxacin, which selectively suppress gram-negative bacteria, results in prolonged stent patency despite colonization of the stents by gram-positive bacteria. ⋯ We concluded that there is a synergistic effect between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in adherence and biofilm formation.