title: In vitro and in vivo model systems to study microbial biofilm formation.
abstract: Biofilm formation is often considered the underlying reason why treatment with an antimicrobial agent fails and as an estimated 65-80% of all human infections is thought to be biofilm-related, this presents a serious challenge. Biofilm model systems are essential to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in biofilm formation and resistance. In this review a comprehensive overview of various in vitro and in vivo systems is presented, and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium. Tom.Coenye@UGent.be
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coenye
authors.forename: Hans J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Nelis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods*