Bacterial biofilm and associated infections

Publication date: Available online 15 October 2017 Source:Journal of the Chinese Medical Association Author(s): Muhsin Jamal, Wisal Ahmad, Saadia Andleeb, Fazal Jalil, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Asif Nawaz, Tahir Hussain, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Rafiq, Muhammad Atif Kamil Microscopic entities, microorganisms that drastically affect human health need to be thoroughly investigated. A biofilm is an architectural colony of microorganisms, within a matrix of extracellular polymeric substance that they produce. Biofilm contains microbial cells adherent to one-another and to a static surface (living or non-living). Bacterial biofilms are usually pathogenic in nature and can cause nosocomial infections. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that among all microbial and chronic infections, 65% and 80%, respectively, are associated with biofilm formation. The process of biofilm formation consists of many steps, starting with attachment to a living or non-living surface that will lead to formation of micro-colony, giving rise to three-dimensional structures and ending up, after maturation, with detachment. During formation of biofilm several species of bacteria communicate with one another, employing quorum sensing. In general, bacterial biofilms show resistance against human immune system, as well as against antibiotics. Health related concerns speak loud due to the biofilm potential to cause diseases, utilizing both device-related and non-device-related infections...
Source: Journal of the Chinese Medical Association - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research