Final answer:
A biofilm is a complex aggregation of microorganisms attached to a surface. They are involved in various medical complications such as dental plaque and infections related to medical devices and are resistant to antibiotics which poses significant challenges in treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
A biofilm is a complex community of one or more species of microorganisms that adhere to a surface, enveloped within a self-produced extra polymeric substance (EPS), which forms a protective matrix around the cells. Biofilms can consist of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Medical devices and human tissues can both become substrates for biofilm growth, leading to a range of medical implications. Biofilm-related infections are notoriously difficult to treat due to their increased resistance to antibiotics and the immune system. The EPS matrix shelters the microbial community, inhibits the penetration of antimicrobial agents, and may contain cells in a range of metabolic states, including dormant 'persister cells' that are highly tolerant to antibiotics.
Examples of biofilm formation within a medical context include dental plaque, which contributes to tooth decay and periodontal disease, and biofilms on medical devices, like catheters and prostheses, leading to healthcare-associated infections. Roughly 65 percent of hospital-acquired infections are attributed to biofilms, highlighting the substantial medical challenge they represent. These infections are often chronic, as biofilms can resist up to 1,000 times the antibiotic concentrations that would typically kill planktonic, or free-living, bacterial cells.
Due to their resilience, biofilms have generated a significant interest in the development of new medical approaches to treat and prevent biofilm-associated infections. The persistence and tolerance of biofilm-related infections necessitate more effective cleaning and sterilization methods for medical equipment and innovative treatment strategies to protect patients from biofilm-associated diseases.