Identification of Collagenolytic Bacteria in Human Samples: Screening Methods and Clinical Implications for Resolving and Preventing Anastomotic Leaks and Wound Complications

BACKGROUND: Bacteria that produce collagen-digesting enzymes (collagenolytic bacteria) have been shown to play a critical and previously unappreciated role in anastomotic leak pathogenesis by breaking down host tissue extracellular matrix proteins. Detection of these bacteria is labor intensive, and no screening method currently exists. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated a rapid screening method developed to detect the presence of these collagenolytic...