Abstract
This chapter introduces the key concepts in biofilm formation and the current understanding of the complex and impaired interactions between the immune system and these bacterial communities. Bacterial biofilms are known to play an important role in the pathophysiology of many infectious diseases, including device-associated infections, chronic otitis media and sinusitis, dental disease and colonization in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. Biofilm formation has been described in many different strains of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and others. There are three stages that characterize biofilm formation: attachment, proliferation, and dispersal. Neutrophils also play an important role in the containment of biofilm infections and production of reactive oxygen species as a means of combatting these infections. Finally, the chapter reviews the current understanding of innate and adaptive immune responses to infection, as well as other cell types with immune and non-immune functions, such as fibroblasts and epithelial cells, that may play a role.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | The Human Microbiota and Chronic Disease |
Subtitle of host publication | Dysbiosis as a Cause of Human Pathology |
Publisher | wiley |
Pages | 139-154 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118982907 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781118982877 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 22 2016 |
Keywords
- Adaptive immune responses
- Bacterial biofilm formation
- Bacterial communities
- Biofilm immune evasion strategies
- Biofilm therapeutics
- Chronic disease
- Device-associated biofilm infections
- Innate immune responses
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Immunology and Microbiology