Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
5621464 Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2016 16 Pages PDF
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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