Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification
10:05

Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification

Published on: May 6, 2018

13.5K

Biofilms associated with bowel necrosis: A newly recognised phenomenon in infants

Giulia Brisighelli1, Sharon Cox, Andre Theron

  • 1UOC Chirurgia Pediatrica, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. giuliabrisighelli@gmail.com.

South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
|April 2, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Biofilms were identified in the necrotic bowel tissue of three infants who died from sepsis. This finding suggests a potential link between biofilms and severe intestinal complications in neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pathology
  • Neonatal Medicine

Background:

  • Biofilms are microbial communities encased in a matrix, adhering to surfaces.
  • Understanding biofilm formation is crucial in various medical contexts.

Observation:

  • Three infant cases of bowel necrosis were analyzed.
  • Bowel necrosis was associated with sepsis and mortality despite antibiotic treatment.

Findings:

  • Klebsiella pneumoniae was cultured from peritoneal pus in all cases.
  • Histological examination revealed Gram-negative bacteria within a mucopolysaccharide matrix in necrotic bowel tissue.
  • Biofilm presence was confirmed in necrotic bowel specimens.

Implications:

  • The clinical significance of biofilms in bowel necrosis requires further investigation.
  • Routine evaluation of resected necrotic bowel for biofilms may be warranted.
  • This research highlights a potential factor in neonatal sepsis and intestinal failure.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment Strategies with the NEC-on-a-Chip Model06:51

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment Strategies with the NEC-on-a-Chip Model

Published on: July 28, 2023

1.9K
In Vitro Apical-Out Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis09:11

In Vitro Apical-Out Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Published on: June 8, 2022

2.9K

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...
1.8K
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
9
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
90.7K
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
9
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid...
10
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
1.9K