Chapter 4 Biofilms in Health and Medicine
Section 2 Biofilms and Chronic Infections
Page 2 Connections

What is the connection between biofilms and persistent infections?

Increasing evidence shows that bacteria and yeast can adhere to implanted medical devices or damaged tissue and become the focus of persistent infections (Costerton et al, 1999). Microbial biofilms that form in the human body share certain characteristics with biofilms that are familiar in other environments (see Table 1, below; for basic information about biofilm formation, please refer to “Chapter 1: Introduction to Biofilms” ). Some well-established examples of biofilm infections include cystic fibrosis pneumonia, periodontitis, and infection of catheters and prosthetic joints.

CHARACTERISTIC CYSTIC FIBROSIS PERIODONTITIS CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER INFECTION CHRONIC WOUNDS
Form preferentially on foreign bodies, dead or damaged tissue The genetic defect in the chloride ion channel predisposes the lung to infection The tooth surface is not as well-defended as are vascularized tissues Indwelling plastic and metal surfaces are very vulnerable to microbial colonization Necrotic tissue could provide nidus for biofilm formation
Slow to develop Persistent infection takes years to establish Typically manifests gradually, later in life Symptoms may take weeks to manifest Symptoms such as pain, exudate and size wax and wane over weeks to months
Respond poorly or only temporarily to antibiotics Lung is never cleared of bacteria despite aggressive chemotherapy Tetracycline, antiseptic mouthwashes have little efficacy Preferred therapy is removal of the infected catheter Marginal response to antibiotics; may deteriorate when antibiotics are stopped
Collateral damage to neighboring healthy tissue Massive neutrophil invasion contributes to gradual loss of lung function Host responses and bacterial virulence factors lead to progressive bone loss; teeth fall out Infection may disseminate to blood and other locations in body Normal healing process of cell differentiation and migration is arrested
Table 1. Characteristics of some biofilm infections.

Biofilm infections form preferentially on foreign surfaces as well as dead or damaged tissue. These infections develop gradually and may be slow to produce overt symptoms. Once established, however, biofilm infections persist. They are rarely resolved by host defense mechanisms, even in individuals with healthy innate and adaptive immune reactions. Active host responses, such as invading neutrophils, can even be detrimental since those cells can cause collateral damage to neighboring healthy host tissue. Biofilm infections respond only transiently to antibiotic therapy.

Medical Biofilm Diagram
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P. Dirckx, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman

Article Title: Bacterial Biofilms: A Common Cause of Persistent Infections

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Journal: Science
Date: May 21, 1999
Volume/Issue: Vol. 284, pages 1318-1322

Figure 1. Diagram of a medical biofilm.
(a) Planktonic bacteria can be cleared by antibodies and phagocytes, and are susceptible to antibiotics. (b) Adherent bacterial cells form biofilms preferentially on inert surfaces, and these sessile communities are resistant to antibodies, phagocytes, and antibiotics. (c) Phagocytes are attracted to the biofilms. Phagocytosis is frustrated, but phagocytic enzymes are released. (d) Phagocytic enzymes damage tissue around the biofilm, and planktonic bacteria are released from the biofilm. Release may cause dissemination and acute infection in neighboring tissue. (Courtesy, Science, 21 May, 1999, VOL 284)