Strategies for combating central venous catheter-related bacterial infections

Abstract Central venous catheters (CVCs), which play a vital role in medical care and are widely utilized in intensive care units, are highly susceptible to microbial colonization, thus leading to serious catheter-related bloodstream infections and greatly increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, accounting for 12%–25% of annual mortality in the USA. The corresponding preventive measures include the use of antibiotic and antiseptic coatings, impregnated catheters, and maximally sterile barrier techniques, but they are often ineffective, particularly against biofilm formation and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This review focuses on strategies for fabricating antimicrobial CVCs, e.g., the use of antifouling materials, antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs), and surface functionalization, covering both commercially available solutions and those investigated. Additionally, we explore the materials and processing technologies used to fabricate antimicrobial CVCs, emphasizing their advantages and challenges in industrial and clinical applications. Finally, we discuss the potential of inorganic NPs and the origin of their antimicrobial activity, providing insights for future advances in infection prevention that will help improve the patients’ life quality.