title: Scratching the surface - tobacco-induced bacterial biofilms.
abstract: Individual environmental factors, such as iron, temperature and oxygen, are known to have a profound effect on bacterial phenotype. Therefore, it is surprising so little known is about the influence of chemically complex cigarette smoke on bacterial physiology. Recent evidence has demonstrated that tobacco smoke and components alter the bacterial surface and promote biofilm formation in several important human pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumonia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and the relevance to increased susceptibility to infectious disease in smokers and to treatment are reviewed.
authors: Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, USA.
authors: Justin A
authors: JA
authors: Hutcherson
authors: Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, 501 South Preston Street, Louisville, KY 40292 USA.
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Scott
authors: Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO USA.
authors: Juhi
authors: J
authors: Bagaitkar
keywords: Bacteria; Biofilms; Cigarette smoking; Infectious diseases; Outer membrane; Tobacco