Antibody May Help Prevent Central Line Infections

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have developed an antibody that could help prevent Candida infections, otherwise known as yeast infections commonly seen in pregnant women, children or men or women with compromised immune systems. It is also common among hospitalized patients who receive central lines.

According to lead study author Margaret Hostetter, MD, director of infectious diseases at Cincinnati Children's, and her team, they worked to develop the antibody that prevents Candida albicans from binding to heparin and stopping the formation of biofilm via a rat model of catheter-associated infection. The biofilm is a multi-layered buildup of millions of microorganism that coat inside the catheter, according to background information via the study.

Prior research has shown that heparin binds to Candida alibicans, a yeast that commonly resides on our skin and lives inside our gastrointestinal tract. The yeast binds to herapin to harm the body's immune response via biofilms. When this happens inside of catheters, microorganisms can break into the blood stream and cause serious infections.

"Standard anticoagulants used in catheters may facilitate biofilm formation by microbes," Dr. Hostetter said, via a press release. "Understanding this process can lead to new strategies for prevention of line infections."

The study notes that the yeast can enter the body via central venous catheters in the form of a biofilm hitting the bloodstream and going into other organs, via the kidneys, liver or spleen, causing serious physical problems overall to the body.

Hostetter concludes that further studies will need to be completed in order to determine whether the antibody is compatible in humans. However, if the findings are positive, clinical trials of the treatment can begin.

More information regarding the study can be found via the Journal of Infectious Diseases.