Bacterial biofilms

Today, 65 % of all infections are regarded as a consequence of local biofilms. In Otorhinolaryngology frequent diseases including chronic tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis, otitis media with effusion and cholesteatomas fulfill the clinical criteria of biofilm-associated diseases such as recalcitrant disease, inefficiently treated with long-term antibiotics. Apart from affecting a great proportion of our clinical spectrum, ENT-specialist frequently insert implants into ventilated area such as trachea, middle ear and paranasal sinuses, all susceptible for biofilm attachment. In short, relevant characteristics of biofilms and their development are summarized, clinical knowledge of otorhinolaryngologic diseases is presented and current and future therapeutic approaches are discussed.