Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Development of a Polymicrobial Colony Biofilm Model to Test Antimicrobials in Cystic Fibrosis
07:16

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

Published on: September 20, 2024

[Microbial biofilm in rhinosinusitis and cystic fibrosis]

Jacob Fisker1, Christian von Buchwald, Helle Krogh Johansen

  • 1Øre-næse-halskirurgisk Klinik og Klinisk Mikrobiologisk Afdeling, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. J-fisker@dadlnet.dk

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|February 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Microbial biofilms contribute to persistent infections, especially in cystic fibrosis patients. Nasal sinuses may harbor these biofilms, acting as a reservoir for lung infections and reinfection post-lung transplant.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Context:

  • Microbial biofilms are implicated in over 65% of human infections.
  • Biofilms are present in chronic rhinosinusitis.
  • Chronic rhinosinusitis is common in cystic fibrosis patients.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the role of nasal sinuses as a reservoir for microbial biofilms in cystic fibrosis patients.
  • To explore the potential of sinuses as a source of sustained lung infections and reinfection after lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis.

Summary:

  • Microbial biofilms are a significant cause of persistent foreign-body infections.
  • The presence of biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis, a condition mandatory in cystic fibrosis patients, suggests a link.
  • Nasal sinuses are hypothesized as a reservoir for sustained lung infections and post-lung transplant reinfection in cystic fibrosis.

Impact:

  • Highlights the potential role of nasal sinuses in cystic fibrosis lung infections.
  • Suggests sinuses as a reservoir for reinfection after lung transplantation.
  • Underscores the need for further research into biofilm management in cystic fibrosis patients.

More Related Videos

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes03:53

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes

Published on: April 19, 2024

The WinCF Model - An Inexpensive and Tractable Microcosm of a Mucus Plugged Bronchiole to Study the Microbiology of Lung Infections06:57

The WinCF Model - An Inexpensive and Tractable Microcosm of a Mucus Plugged Bronchiole to Study the Microbiology of Lung Infections

Published on: May 8, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
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...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

Cystic Fibrosis: Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
Sinus disease and chronic sinusitis...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...