Biofilm and Hospital Acquired Infection Mechanism, Tolerance and Treatment

Abstract

Sessile cells secrete extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) comprising of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and eDNA which forms the matrix in which cells are embedded and held together, forming a biofilm. The EPS acts as a barrier and is necessary for biofilm survival. In nature, more than 90% bacteria live and grow in biofilms. Surface attachment, microcolony formation, maturation and dispersal are general steps of biofilm formation. Phenotypic shift from planktonic (free living) cells to sessile (surface attached) cells is mediated via changes in genetic expression through quorum sensing and cGMP mediated pathway. Pathogenic biofilms in human health cause tenacious clinical problems from non-healing chronic wounds to lung cystic fibrosis. Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are a major set back in health care industry and biofilms are the root cause. They from on the surfaces of medical devices and implants infecting various patients worldwide. Dynamic and ever evolving nature of biofilm makes it difficult to diagnose and treat infections. Therefore, better and advanced diagnostic tools like transcriptomic and wound bed analysis is required to effectively target biofilms.