title: Biofilms: microbes and disease.
abstract: Bacteria that attach to surface aggregate in a hydrated polymeric matrix of their own synthesis to form biofilms. These represent microbial societies with their own defense and communication system. Transitioning from acute to chronic infection is frequently associated with biofilm formation.Bacteria in biofilms are innately more resistant to antimicrobial agents. The presence of indwelling medical devices increases the risk for biofilm formation and subsequent infection. The current antibiotic therapies are of limited effectiveness in resolving biofilms infection.This review attempts to discuss the stages in biofilm formation, their pathogenic mechanisms, effect of antimicrobial agents, detection and eradication of the biofilms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India. aparnaparmar2008@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Madhu Sharma
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aparna
authors.forename: Sarita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yadav
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents