Investigation of interactions between antimicrobial agents and bacterial biofilms using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Biomaterial-centred infections are often difficult to treat. An impaired immune response, acute inflammatory reactions and the presence of recalcitrant attached microorganisms are all contributing factors. A brief review of the role of attached bacteria in biomaterial-centred infections is presented. Two major hypotheses which may explain the recalcitrance of biofilms to antimicrobial agents are discussed. The analytical capabilities of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR/FTIR) spectroscopy for providing information on both transport of an antimicrobial agent to bacteria embedded in the biofilm and interactions between an antimicrobial agent and biofilm components are described.
Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman 59717, USA.
P A
PA
Suci
J D
JD
Vrany
M W
MW
Mittelman
D001419:Bacteria; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects; D018441:Biofilms; D006801:Humans; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods
D001672:Biocompatible Materials