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" Scientists at the University of York have increased their understanding of the way in which bacteria colonise implanted medical devices such as pacemakers and resist antibiotic treatment. The researchers found that bacteria release long thin chains of protein that connect with other bacteria or bacterial products, enabling them to form colonies or &amp;#039;biofilms&amp;#039; on the implanted device. This can then lead to more serious infections such as endocarditis and necessitate further surgery to remove the implant. It is hoped that the finding will ultimately lead to new ways to prevent infections in these cardiac devices. Lead researcher Professor Jennifer Potts, a British Heart Foundation senior research fellow, said: &amp;#039;This discovery provides an important step forward in understanding how biofilms form. &amp;#039;It should help in the development of new ways of preventing infection of cardiac devices by these bacteria.&amp;#039; Dr Helene Wilson, the British Heart Foundation&amp;#039;s research advisor, said that these clusters of bacteria on implanted devices are very difficult to treat with antibiotics. &amp;#039;This discovery is an important step towards improving our understanding of how these biofilms are structured, which could help lead to new treatments or new ways to prevent them forming,&amp;#039; she added. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a22291/uk-scientists-shed-light-on-bacteria-on-medical-implants/>