Microbial Biofilms and Human Microbiome

Bacterial adhesion, EPS, quorum sensing, physio-chemical properties of surface, conditioning films, hydrodynamics, characteristic of aqueous medium

Biofilm can cause fouling and corrosion of wet surfaces, clogging of filtration membranes, and act as reservoirs of pathogens in distribution systems for drinking water.

Roll plate, vortex viable count, sonicate, endoluminal brush, acridine orange direct staining

<p>Drug resistance, culture negativity in repeated blood samples</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The HMP is a large-scale project initiated in 2007 for the characterization of the comprehensive human microbiome and metagenome.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>over 80%</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, oral cavities, eyes, ears, wounds, heart and cervix</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>polysaccharides, extracellular DNA, RNA, proteins/enzymes, lipids</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Protects bacterial cells from physical (shear stress) and chemical (antibiotics, detergents) challenges, determines biofilm architecture, serves as a nutrient source</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>nutrient source</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Quorum sensing is essential for biofilm formation as it involves cell-cell communication relying on secreted signal molecules, called auto inducers or pheromones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Microbes attach to Teflon and plastic more than glass and metal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The limitations of the VSVM method include: (i) not all adherent microorganisms in biofilm might be detached; (ii) the sonication treatment could affect microbial viability leading to erroneous counts; (iii) the CFU counts are referred to the number of planktonic detached microorganisms rather than the total number of adherent microorganisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Treatment issues related to biofilms include drug resistance due to reduced penetration, reduced growth rate, and altered microenvironment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Human Microbiome Project (HMP) is a large-scale project initiated in 2007 for the characterization of the comprehensive human microbiome, including the microbiota and the human microbial genes that contribute to the broader genetic portrait of a human.</p> Signup and view all the answers