Biofilm formation and persistence on abiotic surfaces in the context of food and medical environments

Arch Microbiol. 2014 Jul;196(7):453-72. doi: 10.1007/s00203-014-0983-1. Epub 2014 Apr 18.

Abstract

The biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces in food and medical sectors constitutes a great public health concerns. In fact, biofilms present a persistent source for pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, which lead to severe infections such as foodborne and nosocomial infections. Such biofilms are also a source of material deterioration and failure. The environmental conditions, commonly met in food and medical area, seem also to enhance the biofilm formation and their resistance to disinfectant agents. In this regard, this review highlights the effect of environmental conditions on bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces in the context of food and medical environment. It also describes the current and emergent strategies used to study the biofilm formation and its eradication. The mechanisms of biofilm resistance to commercialized disinfectants are also discussed, since this phenomenon remains unclear to date.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Biofilms* / drug effects
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Environmental Microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / physiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / physiology

Substances

  • Disinfectants