[Foreign body infections--biofilms and quorum sensing]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2007 Nov 26;169(48):4163-6.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Biofilms are structured consortia of bacteria embedded in self-produced polymer matrix. Biofilms are resistant to antibiotics, disinfectives and phagocytosis. The persistence of foreign body infections is due to biofilms. Chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients is a biofilm. Bacteria in biofilms communicate by means of quorum sensing which activates genes for virulence factors. Biofilms can be prevented by antibiotic prophylaxis or early therapy or by quorum sensing inhibitors which make them susceptible to antibiotics and phagocytosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis
  • Biofilms* / drug effects
  • Biofilms* / growth & development
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Foreign-Body Reaction* / drug therapy
  • Foreign-Body Reaction* / microbiology
  • Foreign-Body Reaction* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infection Control
  • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology
  • Pseudomonas Infections / prevention & control
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / pathogenicity
  • Quorum Sensing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents