Publication details

Biofilmy a jejich význam v lékařské mikrobiologii

Title in English Biofilms and their importance for medical microbiology
Authors

ČERNOHORSKÁ Lenka VOTAVA Miroslav

Year of publication 2002
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Epidemiologie, mikrobiologie, imunologie.
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Medicine

Citation
Field Microbiology, virology
Keywords biofilm - planktonic growth - extracellular matrix - adherence to surfaces - quorum-sensing - resistance to antibiotics - chronic infections - persistent infections - plastic devices
Description Microorganisms are able to adhere to various surfaces and to form there a three-dimensional structure known as biofilm. In biofilms, microbial cells show characteristics and behaviours different from those of plankton cells. Intercellular signalisations of the quorum-sensing type regulate interactions between members of the biofilm. Bacteria embedded in the biofilm can escape and form planktonic forms again. Bacteria adhere also to medically important surfaces such as catheters, either urinary or intravenous ones, artificial heart valves, ortrhopedic implants and so on and contribute to device-related infections like cystitis, catheter-related sepsis, endocarditis etc. Once a biofilm has been established on a surface, the bacteria harboured inside are less exposed to the host's immune response and less susceptible to antibiotics.
Related projects:

You are running an old browser version. We recommend updating your browser to its latest version.

More info