Biofilm formation in bacterial pathogens of veterinary importance

Abstract

Bacterial biofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymer matrix that is attached to a surface. Biofilms protect and allow bacteria to survive and thrive in hostile environments. Bacteria within biofilms can withstand host immune responses, and are much less susceptible to antibiotics and disinfectants when compared with their planktonic counterparts. The ability to form biofilms is now considered a universal attribute of micro-organisms. Diseases associated with biofilms require novel methods for their prevention, diagnosis and treatment; this is largely due to the properties of biofilms. Surprisingly, biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens of veterinary importance has received relatively little attention. Here, we review the current knowledge of bacterial biofilms as well as studies performed on animal pathogens.

Surface Polysaccharide Mutants Reveal that Absence of O Antigen Reduces Biofilm Formation of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

“…In A. pleuropneumoniae, this polymeric matrix has been shown to be involved in the formation of a robust biofilm in a very short period of time (4). Biofilms are sessile communities of microorganisms attached to a biotic or abiotic surface and enclosed in a self-produced extracellular polymer matrix (19,20). These are more frequently associated with chronic diseases due particularly to an increased resistance to both conventional biocides and the host immune system (20)(21)(22).…”

“…Biofilms are sessile communities of microorganisms attached to a biotic or abiotic surface and enclosed in a self-produced extracellular polymer matrix (19,20). These are more frequently associated with chronic diseases due particularly to an increased resistance to both conventional biocides and the host immune system (20)(21)(22). In this context, we have shown that A. pleuropneumoniae biofilm cells are 100 to 30,000 times more tolerant to antimicrobials than their planktonic counterparts (23).…”

High-Throughput Microfluidic Method To Study Biofilm Formation and Host-Pathogen Interactions in Pathogenic Escherichia coli

“…iofilms are defined as bacterial communities encased in a selfproduced polymeric matrix that is attached to a surface (1). The ability to form a biofilm is virtually a universal trait of bacteria and other microorganisms.…”

“…The ability to form a biofilm is virtually a universal trait of bacteria and other microorganisms. Growth as a biofilm offers protection against hostile environments, the immune response, and bactericidal concentrations of antibiotics or disinfectants (1). Biofilms have frequently been studied using the 96-microtiter plate model because it is a platform that requires small volumes and is suited for high-throughput screening (1).…”

“…The major flaws of the microtiter model are that it is a closed system and does not incorporate shear force. It is generally accepted that biofilms will develop in the presence of shear force in the environment (1). The MBEC assay, formerly known as the Calgary Biofilm Device, was developed to incorporate shear force into high-throughput screens (2); however, this model is a closed system.…”