Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5621464 | Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery | 2016 | 16 Pages |
Abstract
Despite recent advances in diagnostics and treatments, infective endocarditis is still associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Even prolonged courses of broad-spectrum antimicrobials often fail to eradicate the infection, making surgical intervention necessary in many cases. In this review, we present recent advances in molecular microbiology techniques that have uncovered a plausible explanation for this resistance to treatment: the recently discovered social behavior of some microbes, in which colonies form a nearly impenetrable barrier around themselves called a biofilm. These biofilm structures isolate the colony from the body׳s immune response and antimicrobial drugs. We also present current thinking about possible ways biofilms can be destroyed.
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Authors
Haytham MD, Syed T. MD, Nabin K. MD, Eugene H. MD, Gösta B. MD, PhD,