Novel and future treatment strategies

TY - CHAP

T1 - Novel and future treatment strategies

AU - Alhede, Morten

AU - Jakobsen, Tim Holm

AU - Givskov, Michael

PY - 2011/12/1

Y1 - 2011/12/1

N2 - The biofilm mode of life is by many scientists acknowledged as a successful, bacterial survival strategy in hostile environments. When bacteria invade their hosts, they encounter harsh conditions such as low levels of iron, oxidative stress, macerating enzymes, phagocytic cells, and host-derived as well as administered antimicrobials. Experimental evidence has accumulated over the years showing that biofilms tolerate antimicrobial properties of the immune system and antibiotics. This multifaceted tolerance relies to a certain extend on general resistance mechanisms including efflux pumps and enzymatic modifications in addition to innate tolerances offered by integral structure-functions of the biofilm.

AB - The biofilm mode of life is by many scientists acknowledged as a successful, bacterial survival strategy in hostile environments. When bacteria invade their hosts, they encounter harsh conditions such as low levels of iron, oxidative stress, macerating enzymes, phagocytic cells, and host-derived as well as administered antimicrobials. Experimental evidence has accumulated over the years showing that biofilms tolerate antimicrobial properties of the immune system and antibiotics. This multifaceted tolerance relies to a certain extend on general resistance mechanisms including efflux pumps and enzymatic modifications in addition to innate tolerances offered by integral structure-functions of the biofilm.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84855884107&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/978-1-4419-6084-9_14

DO - 10.1007/978-1-4419-6084-9_14

M3 - Book chapter

AN - SCOPUS:84855884107

SN - 9781441960832

SP - 231

EP - 249

BT - Biofilm Infections

PB - Springer

ER -