title: How Biofilms Evade Host Defenses.
abstract: The steps involved during the biofilm growth cycle include attachment to a substrate followed by more permanent adherence of the microorganisms, microcolony arrangement, and cell detachment required for the dissemination of single or clustered cells to other organ systems. Various methods have been developed for biofilm detection and quantitation. Biofilm-producing microorganisms can be detected in tissue culture plates, using silicone tubes and staining methods, and by visual assessment using scanning electron microscopy or confocal scanning laser microscopy. Quantitative measurement of biofilm growth is determined by using methods that include dry cell weight assays, colony-forming-unit counting, DNA quantification, or XTT 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide reduction assay. Upon infection, innate immune defense strategies are able to establish an immediate response through effector mechanisms mediated by immune cells, receptors, and several humoral factors. We present an overview of the life cycle of biofilms and their diversity, detection methods for biofilm development, and host immune responses to pathogens. We then focus on current concepts in bacterial and fungal biofilm immune evasion mechanisms. This appears to be of particular importance because the use of host immune responses may represent a novel therapeutic approach against biofilms.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University School of Health Sciences, Hippokration Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roilides
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University School of Health Sciences, Hippokration Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simitsopoulou
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University School of Health Sciences, Hippokration Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Aspasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katragkou
authors.affiliation: Transplantation-Oncology Infectious Diseases Program, Weill Cornell Medical Center of Cornell University, New York, NY 14850.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents