Ureteral Stents Harbor Complex Biofilms With Rich Microbiome-Metabolite Interactions

PURPOSE: We sought to determine microbe-metabolite composition and interactions within indwelling ureteral stent biofilms, determine their association with patient factors including infection, and reconstitute biofilm formation on relevant surface materials in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: -tests or PERMANOVA. Biofilm deposition by microbial strain and device material type were analyzed using plate counts and scanning electron microscopy following bioreactor incubation. RESULTS: most) and material type (titanium least). CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral stent biofilms exhibit patterns unique to stent-associated infection and antibiotic exposure during indwelling time. Microbes isolated from stents reconstituted biofilm formation in vitro. This work provides a platform to test novel materials, evaluate new coatings for anti-biofilm properties, and explore commensal strain use for bacterial interference against pathogens.