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Open AccessJournal ArticleDOI

Biofilms: microbial life on surfaces.

TLDR
A greater understanding of biofilm processes should lead to novel, effective control strategies for biofilm control and a resulting improvement in patient management.
Abstract
Microorganisms attach to surfaces and develop biofilms. Biofilm-associated cells can be differentiated from their suspended counterparts by generation of an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, reduced growth rates, and the up- and down- regulation of specific genes. Attachment is a complex process regulated by diverse characteristics of the growth medium, substratum, and cell surface. An established biofilm structure comprises microbial cells and EPS, has a defined architecture, and provides an optimal environment for the exchange of genetic material between cells. Cells may also communicate via quorum sensing, which may in turn affect biofilm processes such as detachment. Biofilms have great importance for public health because of their role in certain infectious diseases and importance in a variety of device-related infections. A greater understanding of biofilm processes should lead to novel, effective control strategies for biofilm control and a resulting improvement in patient management.

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Journal ArticleDOI

2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Health Care Settings.

TL;DR: The ability of hospital ventilation systems to filter Aspergillus and other fungi following a building implosion and the impact of bedside design and furnishing on nosocomial infections are investigated.

Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections, 2011

TL;DR: O'Grady et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a list of the members of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and the Infectious Disease Task Force (IDTF).
Journal ArticleDOI

Quantification of biofilm in microtiter plates: overview of testing conditions and practical recommendations for assessment of biofilm production by staphylococci.

TL;DR: The presented protocol incorporates information on assessment ofBiofilm production by staphylococci, gained both by direct experience as well as by analysis of methods for assaying biofilm production, to simplify quantification of biofilm formation in microtiter plates.
Journal ArticleDOI

Silver nanoparticles as potential antibacterial agents.

TL;DR: This review aims to summarize the emerging efforts to address current challenges and solutions in the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly the use of nanosilver antimicrobials.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

The involvement of cell-to-cell signals in the development of a bacterial biofilm

TL;DR: The involvement of an intercellular signal molecule in the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms suggests possible targets to control biofilm growth on catheters, in cystic fibrosis, and in other environments where P. aerug inosaBiofilms are a persistent problem.
Journal ArticleDOI

Biofilm exopolysaccharides: a strong and sticky framework.

TL;DR: Wimpenny & Colasanti (1997) have suggested that biofilm structure is largely determined by the concentration of substrate, and postulated that such differences also validate at least three conceptual models of biofilms – heterogeneous mosaics, structures penetrated by water channels, and dense confluent bioFilms.
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How Bacteria Stick

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Biofilms and device-associated infections.

TL;DR: To better understand and control biofilms on indwelling medical devices, researchers should develop reliable sampling and measurement techniques, investigate the role of bioFilms in antimicrobial drug resistance, and establish the link between biofilm contamination and patient infection.
Journal ArticleDOI

The Effect of Solid Surfaces upon Bacterial Activity

TL;DR: The following report is concerned with the ways in which solid or adsorbing surfaces may influence bacterial activity.
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