Issues surrounding the prevention and management of device-related infections

The use of biomaterial devices in all aspects of modern medicine has increased exponentially in the past three decades. Device-related infections constitute one of the main impediments to their long-term use. We discuss the pathogenesis, prevention. and management of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). The recent innovations in biomaterial design and surface coatings intended to prevent colonization of the device surface are presented. Despite these significant advances, the ability to protect these surfaces beyond the short term presents a continued challenge to investigators.