Author(s):

Ankita A Singh, OP Verma and RR Mishra

Abstract: A biofilm is a thin layer of microorganisms that adhere to the surface of an organic or inorganic structure, together with their secreted polymers. Formation of biofilm is a survival strategy for bacteria and fungi to adapt to their living environment, especially in the hostile environment. Under the protection of biofilm, microbial cells in biofilm become tolerant and resistant to antibiotics and the immune responses, which increases the difficulties for the clinical treatment of biofilm infections. As a result of DNA exchange, physiological changes, and the thick matrix in which these microorganisms embed themselves, they become highly resistant to conventional antibiotic treatments. Biofilms have demonstrated the ability to persist in 100 to 1000 times the concentrations of antibiotics and biocides that can inhibit planktonic cells. Similarly, granulocytes, macrophages, and other phagocytes are unable to engulf a biofilm as they would individual planktonic cells. The genotypic and phenotypic diversity of the biofilm allow adaptation to overcome multiple stresses and to survive most sequential therapies. Biofilm disease has been viewed as various diseases that affect a variety of tissues and structures, including ear, nose, throat, mouth, eye, lung, heart, kidney, gall bladder, pancreas, nervous system, skin, bone, as well as virtually every implanted medical device. Clinical observations and experimental studies indicated clearly that antibiotic treatment alone is in most cases insufficient to eradicate biofilm infections. Therefore, to effectively treat biofilm infections with currently available antibiotics and evaluate the outcomes become important and urgent for clinicians.

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