Open AccessTowards diagnostic guidelines for biofilm‐associated infections
Author(s) -
HallStoodley Luanne,
Stoodley Paul,
Kathju Sandeep,
Høiby Niels,
Moser Claus,
William Costerton J.,
Moter Annette,
Bjarnsholt Thomas
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2012.00968.x
Subject(s) - biofilm , context (archaeology) , biology , intensive care medicine , antibiotic therapy , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , antibiotics , bacteria , paleontology , genetics
Biofilms associated with the human body, particularly in typically sterile locations, are difficult to diagnose and treat effectively because of their recalcitrance to conventional antibiotic therapy and host immune responses. The study of biofilms in medicine today requires a translational approach, with examination of clinically relevant biofilms in the context of specific anatomic sites, host tissues, and diseases, focusing on what can be done to mitigate their pathologic consequences. This review, which grew out of a discussion session on clinical biofilms at the 5th ASM B iofilm C onference in C ancun, M exico, is designed to give an overview of biofilm‐associated infections ( BAI ) and to propose a platform for further discussion that includes clinicians, medical microbiologists, and biofilm researchers who are stakeholders in advancing the scientific pursuit of better diagnosis and treatment of BAI to mitigate their human and healthcare costs. It also highlights the need for better diagnostic markers, which exploit the difference between planktonic and biofilm cells.