Author: Mah, T.F.; O’Toole, G.A.
Description: Biofilms are communities of microorganisms attached to a surface. It has become clear that biofilm-grown cells express properties distinct from planktonic cells, one of which is an increased resistance to antimicrobial agents. Recent work has indicated that slow growth and/or induction of an rpoS-mediated stress response could contribute to biocide resistance. The physical and/or chemical structure of exopolysaccharides or other aspects of biofilm architecture could also confer resistance by exclusion of biocides from the bacterial community. Finally, biofilm-grown bacteria might develop a biofilm-specific biocide-resistant phenotype. Owing to the heterogeneous nature of the biofilm, it is likely that there are multiple resistance mechanisms at work within a single community. Recent research has begun to shed light on how and why surface-attached microbial communities develop resistance to antimicrobial agents.
Subject headings: Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism; Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Klebsiella pneumoniae/drug effects/growth & development/metabolism; Phenotype; Polysaccharides, Bacterial/chemistry/metabolism; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/growth & development/metabolism; Sigma Factor/metabolism; Staphylococcus epidermidis/drug effects/growth & development/metabolism
Publication year: 2001
Journal or book title: Trends in Microbiology
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 34-39
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Type: Journal Article
Serial number: 1538