Medical Implications of Biofilms
Medical Implications of Biofilms
Deirdre Devine, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds
Interest in biofilms has increased dramatically in recent years. New microscopic and molecular techniques have revolutionized our understanding of biofilm structure, composition, organization, and activities. This book brings advances in the prevention and treatment of biofilm-related diseases to the attention of clinicians and medical researchers. Human tissues often support complex microbial communities growing as biofilms that can cause infections. As microbes in biofilms exhibit increased tolerance toward anti-microbial agents and decreased susceptibility to host defense systems, biofilm-associated diseases have become increasingly difficult to treat.
- Deals specifically with the diseases that bioforms induce
- Focuses on developments in our understanding of biofilms that derive from the use of molecular and microscopic techniques
- Covers the three major classes of biofilm-induced diseases - those associated with oral cavities, medical devices, and shedding surfaces
Reviews & endorsements
"I found this book a real pleasure to read, as it covers many topics on medically important biofilms and advancements in the prevention and treatment of such diseases. The book would be suitable for both clinicians and medical researchers. The wide range of topics covered makes this work a perfect review for those interested in medically related biofilms." ASM News
Product details
September 2003Hardback
9780521812405
338 pages
229 × 152 × 25 mm
0.8kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. Introductory Chapters:
- 1. Biofilm-dependent regulation of gene expression P. LeJeune
- 2. Quorum sensing and microbial biofilms T. R. de Kievit
- 3. Antimicrobial agents and biofilms M. R. Brown
- Part II. Biofilms on Prosthetic Devices:
- 4. Animal models of orthopaedic implant infection Y. H. An
- 5. Intravascular-catheter-related infections H. A. Hanna
- 6. Molecular basis of biofilm formation by staphylococcus epidermidis C. Heilmann
- 7. Biofilm complications of urinary tract devices S. P. Gorman
- Part III. Oral Biofilms:
- 8. Novel microscopic methods to study the structure and metabolism of oral biofilms D. Bradshaw
- 9. Oral streptococcal genes that encode biofilm formation C. Y. Loo
- 10. Gene expression in oral biofilms R. A. Burne
- Part IV. Biofilms on Shedding Surfaces:
- 11. Dissection of the genetic pathway leading to multicellular behaviour in salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium and other enterobacteriaceae U. Romling
- 12. Bacterial growth on mucosal surfaces and biofilms in the large bowel G. T. Macfarlane
- 13. Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in lung infections K. K. Jefferson.
