Abstract

BIOFILM: AN EXTRA POLYMERIC SUBSTANCE ACCOUNTABLE FOR CHRONIC INFECTIONS AND ITS EMERGING LINK WITH PHAGE THERAPY

Erica Sequeira and Saraswathy N

Abstract

Biofilm is a group of microorganisms that are embedded in a selfproduced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance. The formation of biofilm occurs in three steps. The unique nature of a bacterial biofilm makes it a formidable foe to the immune system as well as to modern medicine. Biofilm is responsible for the chronic infections and due to the increasing resistance of biofilm to antibiotics, newer approaches are being researched, phage therapy is one of the promising treatments with several advantages. This article reviews on the impact of biofilm, and the role of phages, phage cocktails and the genetically engineered phages for removal of biofilm.

Keywords: Biofilm, microorganisms, colonies, extracellular polymeric matrix, infections, antimicrobial, phage cocktails.