Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries
09:39

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries

Published on: December 27, 2016

[Bacterial biofilms]

A G Beule1, W Hosemann

  • 1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie der Universität Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Strasse 43-45, Greifswald. achim.beule@uni-greifswald.de

Laryngo- Rhino- Otologie
|November 23, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Biofilms cause most infections, particularly in Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) diseases like chronic tonsillitis and sinusitis. Current antibiotic treatments are often ineffective, necessitating new therapeutic strategies for these biofilm-associated conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Biomaterials Science

Context:

  • Biofilms are implicated in 65% of all infections.
  • Many common Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) conditions, including chronic tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis, otitis media with effusion, and cholesteatomas, exhibit characteristics of biofilm-associated diseases.
  • ENT procedures frequently involve implanting devices in areas prone to biofilm formation, such as the trachea, middle ear, and paranasal sinuses.

Purpose:

  • To summarize the relevant characteristics and development of biofilms.
  • To present clinical knowledge of Otorhinolaryngology diseases linked to biofilms.
  • To discuss current and future therapeutic strategies for biofilm-associated infections in ENT.

Summary:

  • This review details the nature of biofilms and their role in persistent infections.
  • It highlights how conditions like chronic sinusitis and otitis media are often recalcitrant due to biofilms, resisting standard antibiotic therapies.
  • The discussion extends to implants used in ENT, which are also susceptible to biofilm colonization.

Impact:

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of biofilm challenges in Otorhinolaryngology.
  • Emphasizes the limitations of current antibiotic treatments against biofilms.
  • Outlines the need for novel therapeutic approaches to effectively manage biofilm-associated diseases and improve patient outcomes in ENT care.

More Related Videos

Generation of Greater Bacterial Biofilm Biomass using PCR-Plate Deep Well Microplate Devices10:57

Generation of Greater Bacterial Biofilm Biomass using PCR-Plate Deep Well Microplate Devices

Published on: April 22, 2022

Development of a Polymicrobial Colony Biofilm Model to Test Antimicrobials in Cystic Fibrosis07:16

Development of a Polymicrobial Colony Biofilm Model to Test Antimicrobials in Cystic Fibrosis

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
Bacterial Signaling01:30

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
Microbial Mats01:25

Microbial Mats

Microbial communities forming biofilms and mats represent complex, spatially structured ecosystems where metabolic processes are stratified according to light, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Biofilms are initial colonization stages, only a few millimeters thick, while mature microbial mats can reach centimeter-scale thickness and display intricate vertical organization. Their structural and functional heterogeneity allows microorganisms to occupy distinct ecological niches within a few...
Prokaryotic Cells01:28

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains — Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common microorganisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.
Like eukaryotic cells, all prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, have genetic material in the form of single, circular DNA, a cytoplasm that fills the interior of the cell, and ribosomes that synthesize proteins.