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Pig Journal Volume: 56
Publication date: November 2005

Proceedings Section

BIOFILMS
A.E.J. Waddilove

Abstract
A biofilm is a collection of bacteria and/or fungi that exists in a multicellular or community form, encased in an extracellular polysaccharide matrix that they themselves synthesise. They require the presence of water, and form on a solid substrate, on soft tissue surfaces within living organisms and at liquid-air interfaces. Formation of a biofilm starts with adherence of bacteria followed by production of the polysaccharide matrix. Other bacteria, other micro-organisms and debris become incorporated in the biofilm. Bacteria within a biofilm communicate by quorum sensing leading to phenotypic modifications and changes in gene expression. Bacteria within the biofilm are protected from disinfectants and have a fundamentally reduced antibacterial sensitivity compared with planktonic, free living, bacteria. Biofilms are highly important in human medicine. In the pig industry, they are important in reducing antibacterial and disinfectant efficacy, causing the persistence of infections in houses and systems, in blocking water systems and probably have a direct role in pig disease. Control of biofilms is difficult and addresses preventing initial formation and removing existing biofilms. Biofilms are best removed by oxidative disinfectants.

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