Microbial interactions in Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms.
Medical device-associated infections, most frequently caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, especially Staphylococcus epidermidis, are of increasing importance in modern medicine. The formation of adherent, multilayered bacterial biofilms is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of these infections, which regularly fail to respond to appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Progress in elucidating the factors functional in elaboration of S. epidermidis biofilms and the regulation of their expression with a special emphasis on the role of quorum sensing are reviewed. Significant progress has been made in recent years, which provides the rationale for developing better preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic measures.
Mack
Dietrich
D
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The School of Medicine, Swansea University, Grove Building, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK. D.Mack@swansea.ac.uk
Davies
Angharad P
AP
Harris
Llinos G
LG
Rohde
Holger
H
Horstkotte
Matthias A
MA
Knobloch
Johannes K-M
JK
D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology