Review on the Role of Biofilm Formation in Bacterial Pathogenesis

Review Article

Austin J Vet Sci & Anim Husb. 2023; 10(1): 1110.

Review on the Role of Biofilm Formation in Bacterial Pathogenesis

Umer AA*

Animal Health Institute (AHI), Bacteriology Laboratory, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Abdi Ahmed Umer Animal Health Institute (AHI), Bacteriology Laboratory P.O. Box 04, Sebeta, Ethiopia

Received: December 12, 2022; Accepted: January 31, 2023; Published: February 07, 2023

Abstract

Biofilms are defined as a accumulation of microorganisms living in a self-assembled matrix of polymeric substances that adheres to a variety of surfaces. Depending on the interaction between the surface and constituent cells, biofilms can be monolayer or multilayer. Initial attachment, irreversible attachment, micro colony growth, biofilm maturation, and biofilm dispersal are the five steps of the biofilm formation process. The processes that contribute tobiofilm formation are a dynamic and complicated process. Biofilm Formation Causes many bacteria have the ability to transition between planktonic and biofilm forms. The biofilm state appears to be a natural and prevalent condition of bacteria. Biofilm-forming bacteria are important for animal health. The risk of infection in animal species is likely to be higher than in humans. Because of the differences in animal housing and living conditions.

Microorganisms capable of generating biofilms include P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, E. colispp, S. aureus, E. cloacae, and K. pneumonia. Bacterial pathogenesis of biofilms occurs frequently on medical devices and bits of dead tissue, such as sequestra of dead bone; nevertheless, they canals of or nonliving tissues. Biofilms in bacterial infections can improve the pathogenicity of the organism while also protecting it from external treatment. UV radiation, pH stress, chemical exposure, phagocytosis, dehydration, and antibiotics are all threats to cells that biofilms protect them. The Role of Signaling in Biofilm Formation is the bond between environmental stimuli and the bacteria’ reciprocation of the relevant signaling is required for the formation of a biofilm. Two-component systems and Quorum sensing can both be induced by these sensing systems. Tissue culture plate, cong red agar, and bioluminescent assay are some of the laboratory tests used to diagnose biofilm. The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria is one of the world’s most serious health issues. One of the implications of the bacterial biofilm communities that lead to persistent illnesses is antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: Biofilm; Bacterial; Pathogenesis

Introduction

Bacterial cells can proliferate in two ways: planktonic cells and sessile aggregates, which are known as biofilms. Bacterial biofilms are clumps of bacteria adhered to surfaces that are encased in a matrix of extracellular polymeric compounds [8]. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch researcher, was the first to identify ‘animalcule’ on teeth surfaces using a basic microscope, and this was considered the first microbial biofilm discovery [10]. Over 99 percent of bacteria on Earth are considered to reside in biofilm communities [53].

Microbes, which is primarily self-produced, improves survival in harsh settings, including antibiotic tolerance, and gives the biofilm structure [31]. Biofilms can be found in both natural and human-made environments. Biofilms can grow on a range of surfaces, including inert and alive materials like tissues and cells [13].

Microbes produce biofilms to help them resist unpredictable environmental stressors such as temperature variations, desiccation, UV radiation, cleans in agents like biocides and disinfectant pressure, and host immune systems. Biofilms can be found in industrial settings, hotels, waste water channels, toilets, labs, and medical settings, and they most typically form on hard surfaces that are submerged in or exposed to an aqueous solution.

It can form on living as well as non-living surfaces [45] Antibiotics are protected by the Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) matrix, which prevents drug entry at bactericidal concentrations. When compared to planktonic bacteria, bacteria within a biofilm are several orders of magnitude more resistant to antibiotics [37].

Bacterial Biofilm

Biofilms are bacterial populations that are embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances that are bonded to a surface. Bacteria exist as separate creatures in a ‘planktonic state,’ according to a popular misperception about microbial life. Microorganisms, on the other hand, naturally aggregate on a wide range of surfaces, where they form sessile, sedentary populations. Biofilms protect bacteria from harmful conditions, and biofilm development appears to be a key role in the disease cycle of bacterial pathogens in animals, humans, and plants. In most bacterial species, bacterial surface components and extracellular molecules [mainly flagella, Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), and Exopolysaccharides (EPSs), in conjunction with environmental and quorum-sensing cues, are critical for auto aggregation and biofilm growth.

Environmental signals initiate biofilm development, and flagella are required for the biofilm community to approach and move across the surface [2]. These surfaces include household and industrial pipes, biological materials such as contact lenses, medical devices such as implants and catheters, and human and animal tissues. These single or multiple microbial aggregates are generally called biofilms and can be made up of different bacterial and fungal communities. The proximity of microorganisms allows the exchange of substrates, the distribution of metabolites, and the elimination of toxic end products, so that different species can support each other. In addition, the structure of the biofilm community can protect the bacteria in it from antibacterial agents, shear forces, and the immune system [11].

Types of Bacterial Biofilm

Biofilms can be monolayer or multilayer depending on how the surface interacts with the constituent cells. Interactions between constituent cells are less important in a single-layered biofilm than interactions between cells. In the creation of a mono layer microbial biofilm, there are several types of sticky structures. Preformed adhesion features, such as flagellum or pilus, boost transient attachments to the surface and hence speed up the production of monolayer biofilms in one kind. The microbial adhesin is generated in one type while the shift to permanent attachment is occurring in another [27].

When microorganisms can cling to a surface as well as to one other, they form a multilayer biofilm. It has been shown that the surface features of bacteria cause repulsion in many circumstances. For example, the O antigen, which is normally negatively charged in nature, determines the chemical characteristics of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. This repulsive force caused by comparable charge among bacteria must be negated in order to build a multilayer biofilm. The addition of divalent cations, the formation of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS), and the mutation, downregulation, or silence of the O antigen producing genes may disguise this negative charge [14].

Biofilm Formation Process

Biofilm is a group of microorganisms that are securely adhered to a biotic or abiotic surface, encased in an Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS) matrix, and can exhibit novel gene expression, protein synthesis, growth rate, and metabolic activities. The production of biofilms follows a stage-by-stage process. The biofilm grows more firmly adhered as it progresses, and the microorganisms within it become more protected against cleaners and sanitizers [18].

Citation: Umer AA. Review on the Role of Biofilm Formation in Bacterial Pathogenesis. Austin J Vet Sci & Anim Husb. 2023; 10(1): 1110.