Bacterial Biofilms - A Therapeutic Challenge

Abstract

A bacterial biofilm is a community of bacteria or colony, adhered to a stationary living or non-living surface within a matrix of selfproducedextracellular polymeric material and microbial cells. Bacterial biofilms can result in nosocomial infections and are typicallyharmful in nature. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), biofilm formation is the cause of 80% of chronic illnesses and65% of all microbial infections. Bacterial biofilms exhibit resistance to both the host immune system and antibiotics. Infection linked tobiofilms can result in significant productivity losses for the livestock industry. Treating chronic mastitis with commonly available antibioticsis exceedingly challenging when it is caused by biofilm-producing Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci thatproduce biofilm are important contributors to wound infection because they hinder wound healing, which increases the risk of chronicinfection and subsequent bacterial infection. Additionally, biofilm bacteria may act as zoonotic agents. Therefore, we should try withalternate management techniques to combat biofilm microorganisms. In this overview, emphasis has given on status of biofilm associateddiseases in animal, zoonotic importance, probable reason for antibiotic resistance and therapeutic approaches against biofilm infections