Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
10:05
Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification
Published on: May 6, 2018
Microbial biofilms and gastrointestinal diseases.
Erik C von Rosenvinge1, Graeme A O'May, Sandra Macfarlane
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Pathogens and Disease
|April 27, 2013
Summary
Most bacteria form biofilms, not free-floating. This review explores gastrointestinal (GI) tract biofilms, their composition, and links to health and disease, highlighting their survival advantages.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Science
Background:
- The majority of bacteria reside in sessile biofilm communities, not planktonically.
- Biofilms are matrix-enclosed microbial accretions adhering to surfaces, implicated in chronic diseases.
- Bacterial biofilm growth enhances survival against host immunity and antimicrobials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on gastrointestinal (GI) tract biofilms.
- To summarize the composition and function of these communities.
- To explore the association of GI biofilms with health and disease states.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on GI biofilms.
- Synthesis of data on biofilm composition and characteristics.
- Analysis of clinical relevance and disease associations.
Main Results:
- The human GI tract provides ideal environments for biofilm formation and survival.
- Limited knowledge exists regarding the specific nature, function, and clinical relevance of GI biofilms.
- Biofilm communities contribute to bacterial recalcitrance to host defenses and therapies.
Conclusions:
- GI tract biofilms are significant microbial communities with implications for health and disease.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the composition, function, and clinical impact of GI biofilms.
- Targeting GI biofilms may offer novel therapeutic strategies for related diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Biofilms
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...
01:27The 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...
01:27Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
01:29Microbiota 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...