Unsticking bacteria: strategies for biofilm control

Biofilms result from the adhesion of bacteria to an interface and their subsequent growth into a complex community. Consequently, the formation of biofilms on mucosal and dental surfaces can have major clinical implications. Although this meeting dealt with many aspects of biofilm microbiology, this report focuses on the problems related to biofilm control. Although the bacterial cells in the outermost layers of a biofilm are sensitive to biocides and antibiotics, more deeply buried microcolonies can withstand treatment. Such resistance obviously has major practical implications. An interesting approach to controlling oral biofilms involves changing the local environment by altering pH and redox potentials to eliminate potential pathogens while simultaneously retaining the beneficial commensal organisms in the biofilm. An alternative approach to biofilm control is to target and eliminate specific pathogens by inhibiting their adhesion to the interface.