The Study of Bacterial Biofilm formation on Medical Devices, IUDs and Associated Infections

Biofilms are groups of microorganisms that have come together on a surface. Many bacteria commonly exist in the environment in biofilms, so to understand bacteria and their survival, it’s vital we understand how biofilms form and how being in a biofilm helps bacteria survive. biofilms can be up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotic treatment than free-floating bacteria, making them a significant cause of treatment failure for infectious disease. Biofilm is a slimy, protective film of the microorganisms e.g. bacteria, fungi, algae that could stick to each other and a surface which make characteristics complex community cab be embedded in a self-produced matrix of the sticky substances. In simple words biofilms can define as the significant problem in treating the bacterial infections and are one of the main reasons for the persistence of infections. There is the need for the alternative treatments are essential for treating and suppressing biofilmassociated infections. Various bacteria are able to form biofilms e.g. Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The formation of biofilms depends on the various physical factors, mainly the composition of the nutrient media, pH, temperature and the biological factors. The microbes aggregates into the biofilms becomes of the significant virulence factor. In the medical field the biofilm infections are related to the various medical devices like knee replacements, catheters, implants, contact lenses, joints, screws. About 90 % of all the microorganisms are organized in the biofilms and are found in an ecosystem such as lakes, surface water, ground water etc. Bacterial biofilms are complex communities encased in extracellular polymeric substances. This article aims to describe the understanding biofilms and the risks in the formation of biofilm on medical devices and its associated infections.