Question

Diseases that involve biofilm-producing bacteria are of serious concern. They are not as easily treated compared with those involving free-floating (or planktonic) bacteria. Explain three reasons why biofilm formers are more pathogenic.

Answer 1

The biofilm forming strains are much more pathogenic because the biofilm grants them protection, let us address them:

1.- They obtain increased surface adhesion, bacteria produce polymers that form the matrix of the biofilm and provides high adhesion, this allows for the colony to moer effectively attach and thus damage the tissue

2.- They obtain protection against antibiotics, because the biofilm matrix prevents the proper diffusion of the antibiotic to its insides, thus bacteria inside don't recieve a strong hit from the antibiotic

3.- They maintain high bacterial density due to the mechanical force of the matrix keeping them together, this creates a localized attack to the tissue, which can be more harmful to the cells in the human body, as they recieve greater amounts of toxicity