ECMO Cannulas as Pathogen Reservoirs: Small-Scale Molecular Insights Into Biofilms and Sepsis Risk

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving intervention, but it is associated with an increased risk of sepsis, often linked to the formation of biofilms on ECMO cannulas. In this study, we investigated the microbial communities forming on ECMO cannulas using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and confirmed their potential role as pathogen reservoirs. We also identified putative molecular markers associated with the development of sepsis post decannulation. The findings from our preliminary molecular analysis offer valuable insights into the composition of biofilms and underscore the implications for infection risk during ECMO therapy.