Antibacterial Resistance of Bacteria in Biofilms

Abstract

A biofilm is a slimy layer composed of bacteria embedded in a self produced hydrated polymer mixture consisting of polysaccharide, protein and DNA. These sessile communities and their inherent resistance to antimicrobial agents, disinfectant chemicals, components of body's defense system causes chronic bacterial infections. The mechanisms of resistance in biofilms are different from now familiar plasmids, tansoposons and mutations that confer innate resistance to individual bacterial cells. Eg: s taphylococcal infections related to foreign bodies is due to bio film formation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients is caused by biofilm growing mucoid strain. Nutrients and oxygen that exist in the biofilms are the gradients that are associated with decreased bacterial metabolic activity and increased doubling times of cells. These gradients are responsible for some of tolerance of antibiotics. Early aggressive antibiotic prophylaxis and chronic suppresive therapy can be given to prevent bio film formation.