Why are biofilms an issue?
Medical Devices
are subject to contamination by biofilms.
Cleaning is crucial
It is impossible to disinfect or even sterilize inadequately-cleaned medical devices.4
Tolerance x1000
Bacteria are up to 1000x more tolerant to biocides if in a biofilm. ⁷
Resistance
is favored inside biofilms due to horizontal transfer of genes carrying antibiotics-resistance. ⁵
BIOFILMS IN BRIEF
-
Most biofilms are multi-species. Even non biofilm-forming microbes can be sheltered in a biofilm (incl. multi-drug resistant bacteria like MRSA, CRE, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Legionella, E. coli, Viruses and Fungi). ⁶
-
Biofilms develop frequently on Medical Devices.
-
Horizontal transfer of genes carrying antiobiotics-resistance is favored inside biofilms. ⁸
-
Biofilms form a protective barrier around infectious micro-organisms and enhance survival of exposure to antimicrobials.
-
Inorganic and organic materials interfere with the effectiveness of disinfectants and sterilization.³
-
Disinfectants are mostly tested against planktonic (free) bacteria, although 99% of bacteria naturally exist in a biofilm.
More detailed facts in : Biofilm knowledge center >
OneLife interviewed by Canal Z
