MECHANISMS OF INCREASED RESISTANCE OF BACTERIA TO ANTIMICROBIALS IN BIOFILM

• Main Authors: Dubravka Milanov, Nataša Čubrak, Jelena Petrović, Sava Lazić
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad” 2010-12-01
• Series: Archives of Veterinary Medicine
• Subjects: biofilm; antibiotics; resistance
• Online Access: https://niv.ns.ac.rs/e-avm/index.php/e-avm/article/view/197

The most striking advantage of bacteria residing in biofilm is enhanced resistance to biocide including antibiotics and disinfectants. Biocides are 100% efficient in killing cells in suspension but there are not efficient in destroying bacteria from biofilm community. Mechanisms of increased resistance of bacteria in biofilm to antibiotics is not understood. Some factors alone or in combination are considered to be responsible such as restricted penetration of antibiotics into a biofilm, slow growth rate of biofilm cells, possible expression of certain resistance genes, increased rate of genetic transfer. The standard test for estimating the minimum bactericidal and minimum inhibitory concentration is not applicable for bacteria grown in biofilm. Nowadays, the apparatus for determination of Minimal Biofilm Eradication Concentration (MBEC) has been developed. Determining MBEC helps to select appropriate antibiotics for patient treatment, to identify new antimicrobials targeting biofilm and to track the possible future development of antibiotic resistance against biofilm drugs.