Bacterial Biofilm and its Role in the Pathogenesis of Disease

Abstract

Recognition of the fact that bacterial biofilm may play a role in the pathogenesis of disease has led to an increased focus on identifying diseases that may be biofilm-related. Biofilm infections are typically chronic in nature, as biofilm-residing bacteria can be resilient to both the immune system, antibiotics, and other treatments. This is a comprehensive review describing biofilm diseases in the auditory, the cardiovascular, the digestive, the integumentary, the reproductive, the respiratory, and the urinary system. In most cases reviewed, the biofilms were identified through various imaging technics, in addition to other study approaches. The current knowledge on how biofilm may contribute to the pathogenesis of disease indicates a number of different mechanisms. This spans from biofilm being a mere reservoir of pathogenic bacteria, to playing a more active role, e.g., by contributing to inflammation. Observations also indicate that biofilm does not exclusively occur extracellularly, but may also be formed inside living cells. Furthermore, the presence of biofilm may contribute to development of cancer. In conclusion, this review shows that biofilm is part of many, probably most chronic infections. This is important knowledge for development of effective treatment strategies for such infections.

Solidago virgaurea L. Plant Extract Targeted against Candida albicans to Reduce Oral Microbial Biomass: A Double Blind Randomized Trial on Healthy Adults

“…In oral biofilms, host components are derived from saliva, crevicular fluid and gingival epithelial cells. Bacteria and fungi embedded in the biofilm are more resistant to the innate immune system and to antimicrobial therapy [2,13]. In periodontal tissues, innate immunity is a semi-specific first line of defence, which initiates inflammatory reaction in response to oral microbiome dysbiosis [1].…”

“…Some microbial constituents trigger innate immunity, and other constituents and toxins are secondly recognized as microbial antigens by adaptative immunity. Innate immunity recruits immune cells to infection site (macrophages, mastocytes, endothelial cells, histiocytes, and fibroblasts) and from bloodstream (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes B and T, monocytes, plasmocytes, and platelets) [13,14]. During acute phase reaction, hepatocytes synthesize increased quantities of plasma proteins and glycoproteins.…”

“…During acute phase reaction, hepatocytes synthesize increased quantities of plasma proteins and glycoproteins. These plasmatic immunity mediators form complex activation systems (bradykinin system, fibrin/fibrinolysis system and complement system) [13,14].…”

“…A second group of immunity mediators are synthesized by various cell types. Main cell mediators are histamine, serotonin, eicosanoids, free radicals, cytokines, substance P, neurokinin, and enzymes involved in tissue destruction [13][14][15]. Bunte and Beikler recently reviewed periodontal immunity (2019) [16].…”

“…However, destruction of periodontal tissues is most of time painless and (micro)-bleeding is a constant symptom. Periodontologists have paid a special attention to T cells, cytokine unbalance and free radicals [1,[13][14][15][16]. T cells differentiate in several lineages of T helper (Th) cells.…”