Biofilms

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss the idea that some pathogenic bacteria, in addition to their intrinsic virulence, also have the capacity to form organized communities in their host, termed biofilms. Bacterial biofilms are a sizable clustering of bacteria embedded in a sometimes thick extracellular matrix. The steps of biofilm formation are discussed, as are the reasons these structures allow the bacteria to resist the harmful attacks of either the immune system or treatment, notably antibiotics. The host anatomy and conditions that facilitate biofilm formation are framed in the context of the medical issues that fuel them, along with how the film itself forms the foundation for key factors that promote virulence, including bacterial communication and gene transfer. The learner will be well versed in the challenges biofilms present in the bacterial hunter’s quest to understand and overcome complex infections.