A biofilm is a community of microorganisms embedded in a slimy matrix which can attach to various surfaces. A great diversity of species has been found in biofilms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Biofilms can exist on inert surfaces such as glass, plastic, and metal, but can also use plant and animal tissues as a substrate. The slimy extracellular matrix provides protection for the microorganisms within the biofilm, resulting in an increased resistance to disinfectants, antibiotics, and a host’s immune system. Biofilms can create major problems in the health care, food, and manufacturing industries, including infections from implantable medical devices, contamination of food/food-contact surfaces, and corrosion or other damage to industrial equipment. This presentation will introduce the formation of biofilms, current standardized test methods to evaluate antibiofilm agents, and regulatory considerations.
