Facts about biofilms

Biofilms and your health...

• Biofilms are responsible for diseases such as otitis media, the most common acute ear infection in children in the U.S. Other diseases in which biofilms play a role include bacterial endocarditis (infection of the inner surface of the heart and its valves), cystic fibrosis (a chronic disorder resulting in increased susceptibility to serious lung infections), and Legionnaire's disease (an acute respiratory infection resulting from the aspiration of clumps of Legionnella biofilms detached from air and water heating/cooling and distribution systems).

• Biofilms may be responsible for a wide variety of nosocomial  (hospital-acquired) infections. Sources of biofilm-related infections can include the surfaces of catheters, medical implants, wound dressings, or other types of medical devices.

• Biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics. Consequently, very high and/or long-term doses are often required to eradicate biofilm-related infections.

• Biofilms happily colonize many household surfaces, including toilets, sinks, countertops, and cutting boards in the kitchen and bath. Poor disinfection practices and ineffective cleaning products may increase the incidence of illnesses associated with pathogenic organisms associated with normal household activity.

Biofilms and industry...

• Biofilms are responsible for billions of dollars in lost industrial productivity and both product and capital equipment damage each year. For example, biofilms are notorious for causing pipe plugging, corrosion and water contamination.

• Biofilm contamination and fouling occurs in nearly every industrial water-based process, including water treatment and distribution, pulp and paper manufacturing, and the operation of cooling towers.

Biofilms and biotechnology...

• Some reactors designed to promote biofilm growth are very effective for treating environmental wastes such as sewage, industrial waste streams, or contaminated groundwater.

• Biofilms can be used to produce a wide variety of biochemicals that are then purified and utilized for public good, including medicines, food additives, or chemical additives for cleaning products.

Biofilms and the environment...

• Biofilms attached to particles of contaminated soils and aquatic sediments help degrade soil-bound contaminants occurring from accidental chemical releases into the environment.

• Biofilms attached to the plant roots of some crops help cycle nutrients to and from the plant, resulting in increased agricultural productivity.

Introduction
Where biofilms are found
How biofilms form
Biofilm attributes
Facts about biofilms
A misconception

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Supported in part by the Waksman Foundation for Microbiology
Developed in collaboration with Dr. John Lennox, Education Editor, Penn State Altoona
©2002-2006 Center for Biofilm Engineering, http://www.erc.montana.edu