biofilm

Examples of biofilm in the following topics:

• Biofilms

  • The final stage of biofilm formation is known as development; this is the stage in which the biofilm is established and may change only in shape and size.
  • In sum, the five stages of biofilm development are as follows:
  • Dispersal of cells from the biofilm colony is an essential stage of the biofilm life cycle.
  • Enzymes that degrade the biofilm extracellular matrix, such as dispersin B and deoxyribonuclease, may play a role in biofilm dispersal.
  • Biofilm matrix-degrading enzymes may be useful as anti-biofilm agents.

• Biofilms and Infections

  • Biofilms are ubiquitous.
  • The patients with biofilms were shown to have been denuded of cilia and goblet cells, unlike the controls without biofilms who had normal cilia and goblet cell morphology.
  • Biofilms were also found on samples from two of 10 healthy controls mentioned.
  • The biofilms attached to the surfaces of some dental alloys, impression materials, dental implants, restorative and cement materials play an essential role concerning the biofilms establishment dynamics toward the physical-chemical properties of the materials which biofilms are attached to.
  • 5 stages of biofilm development.

• Biofilms, Persisters, and Antibiotic Tolerance

  • Biofilms and persisters are bacterial communities responsible for chronic diseases and antibiotic tolerance.
  • Biofilms are bacteria that have formed a gated community.
  • Biofilms are composed of an aggregate of bacterial cells and are essentially considered a multi-cellular organism.
  • Biofilms and persisters are the cause of multidrug tolerance.
  • Explain the role of biofilms and persisters in multidrug tolerance, distinguishing this from multidrug resistance

• Extracellular Immune Avoidance

  • A biofilm is an aggregate of microorganisms in which cells adhere to each other on a surface.
  • Biofilm EPS, which is also referred to as slime, is a polymeric conglomeration generally composed of extracellular DNA, proteins, and polysaccharides.
  • Some bacteria even form biofilms which protect them from the proteins and cells of the immune system.
  • Many successful infections often involve biofilms.

• The FISH Technique

  • Biofilms, for example, are composed of complex (often) multi-species bacterial organizations.
  • Preparing DNA probes for one species and performing FISH with this probe allows one to visualize the distribution of this specific species within the biofilm.
  • Preparing probes (in two different colors) for two species allows to visualize/study co-localization of these two species in the biofilm, and can be useful in determining the fine architecture of the biofilm.

• Defining Microbes

  • Biofilms, microbial communities that are very difficult to destroy, are considered responsible for diseases such as bacterial infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, Legionnaires' disease, and otitis media.
  • Biofilms also produce foodborne diseases because they colonize the surfaces of food and food-processing equipment.
  • Biofilms are a large threat because they are resistant to most of the methods used to control microbial growth.

• Glycocalyx

  • It serves to protect the bacterium from harmful phagocytes by creating capsules or allowing the bacterium to attach itself to inert surfaces, like teeth or rocks, via biofilms (e.g.
  • This diagram depicts the different types of glycocalyx. 1) Bacterial capsule is a well-organized layer outside the cell. 2) Slime layer is diffuse and irregular in structure. 3) Bacteria can form biofilms by fusing their glycocalyxes.

• Archaeoglobus

  • Archaeoglobus cells protected by biofilm are difficult to destroy using conventional anti-microbial therapy, which gives them medicinal possibilities.
  • They can produce biofilm to form a protective environment when subjected to environmental stresses such as extreme pH or temperature, high concentrations of metal, or the addition of antibiotics, xenobiotics, or oxygen.

• Pili and Pilus Assembly

  • Attachment of bacteria to host surfaces often aided by pili or fimbrae is required for colonization during infection or to initiate formation of a biofilm.
  • Attachment of bacteria to host surfaces is required for colonization during infection or to initiate formation of a biofilm.

• Plague

  • While in the insect vector, proteins encoded by Hms genetic loci induce biofilm formation in the proventriculus, a valve connecting the midgut to the esophagus.
  • Aggregation in the biofilm inhibits feeding, as a mass of clotted blood and bacteria forms (referred to as "Bacot's block").
  • The foregut of this flea is blocked by a Y. pestis biofilm, which is a prerequisite for efficient transmission.