Monitoring of TIVAP colonization by <i>E. coli</i>, <i>P. aeruginosa</i> and <i>S. aureus</i>.

<p>The port was implanted subcutaneously at the dorsal midline and the catheter was inserted into the external jugular vein. Optimized doses of 10⁴ CFU (<i>E. coli</i>, n = 5) or 10⁶ CFU (<i>P. aeruginosa</i>, n = 7 and <i>S. aureus</i>, n = 6) in 100 µL were injected into the port and photon emission measured over a period of 10 days to monitor biofilm growth. Dorsal and ventral views of rats, showing progression of biofilm signals towards the catheter tip. Biofilm-associated infection was restricted to TIVAP by day 10. Control rat was catheterized but without bacterial inoculation. A representative animal is shown.