title: [Bacterial biofilms].
abstract: Today, 65 % of all infections are regarded as a consequence of local biofilms. In Otorhinolaryngology frequent diseases including chronic tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis, otitis media with effusion and cholesteatomas fulfill the clinical criteria of biofilm-associated diseases such as recalcitrant disease, inefficiently treated with long-term antibiotics. Apart from affecting a great proportion of our clinical spectrum, ENT-specialist frequently insert implants into ventilated area such as trachea, middle ear and paranasal sinuses, all susceptible for biofilm attachment. In short, relevant characteristics of biofilms and their development are summarized, clinical knowledge of otorhinolaryngologic diseases is presented and current and future therapeutic approaches are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie der Universität Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Strasse 43-45, Greifswald. achim.beule@uni-greifswald.de
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Beule
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hosemann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004203:Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D053717:Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D012756:Sheep; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents