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Use of a High-throughput In Vitro Microfluidic System to Develop Oral Multi-species Biofilms
Published on: December 1, 2014
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Biofilms and human health
Shilpi Srivastava1, Atul Bhargava2
1Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow Campus), Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow, 226010, India.
Biotechnology Letters
|September 21, 2015
Summary
Biofilms are microbial communities that cause persistent infections, especially on medical devices. Nanotechnology offers new, non-drug approaches to prevent and treat these challenging biofilm infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Biofilms are surface-attached microbial communities encased in self-produced extracellular polymeric substances.
- These communities are prevalent in medical, industrial, and natural settings, and can be engineered in vitro.
- Biofilms are implicated in persistent human diseases, particularly those involving medical devices, due to their resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of biofilms in persistent infections.
- To investigate the challenges in eradicating biofilm infections.
- To highlight the potential of nanotechnology in combating biofilm-related issues.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on biofilm formation and characteristics.
- Analysis of biofilm resistance mechanisms against host defenses and antibiotics.
- Examination of recent advancements in nanotechnology for biofilm management.
Main Results:
- Biofilm infections are notoriously difficult to eradicate due to enhanced protection against macrophages and antibiotics.
- Infections on implants and indwelling devices pose severe clinical complications, often with lethal outcomes.
- Nanotechnology presents promising, non-drug-related strategies for preventing and dispersing biofilms.
Conclusions:
- Biofilms represent a significant challenge in healthcare due to their inherent resistance.
- Effective strategies are needed to combat biofilm infections, especially those linked to medical devices.
- Nanotechnology offers a novel and potentially effective avenue for future anti-biofilm therapies.
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