title: Bacterial biofilms associated with food particles in the human large bowel.
abstract: Bacteria within the gastro-intestinal tract affect host function via production of short-chain fatty acids and synthesis of vitamins. Additionally, the commensal enteric bacteria modulate the immune system and provide protection from potentially pathogenic bacteria. Only recently heterogeneous bacterial biofilms were found to be associated with food particles within the intestinal tract. There are a number of studies investigating the formation and function of pathogenic and single-species biofilms, though few studies have investigated the dynamics of multispecies biofilms, especially with regard to food/microbial/host interactions. The scope of this review is to discuss the current knowledge of bacterial biofilms associated with food particles in the human large bowel, examine the established mathematical models depicting bacterial attachment, and elucidate key areas for further research.
authors.affiliation: Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Amy S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Van Wey
authors.forename: Adrian L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cookson
authors.forename: Nicole C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Warren C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: McNabb
authors.forename: Tanya K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Soboleva
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Shorten
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms; D004032:Diet; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000382:microbiology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D053038:Quorum Sensing