Bacterial Biofilms: Their Formation and Importance. A Review

Hosterson Kylla; Tapan Dutta

Volume : VI, Issue : XII, December - 2016

Bacterial Biofilms: Their Formation and Importance. A Review

Hosterson Kylla, Tapan Dutta

Abstract :

Biofilms are clusters of microorganisms that are form on inanimate objects or associated to host cells during infection. Biofilm structure contains an extracellular matrix excreted by the microbial cells and is a mixture of exopolysaccharide along with other components such as proteins and DNA. Intercellular communication also known as quorum sensing is critical in the development and maintenance of a biofilm. Quorum sensing is important in terms of pathogenicity and virulence of microorganisms which is often enhanced when growing as a biofilm. One of the major problem involving infections with biofilms is the drug resistance as they are highly resistant to killing by antibiotics. Biofilms are implicated in many health problems and have been found to be involved almost 80 percent of all infections