Zeitschrift für mikrobielle und biochemische Technologie

Abstrakt

Staphylococcal Biofilms:Challenges in the Discovery of Novel Antiinfective Agents

Domenico Schillaci

Staphylococci can induce a wide spectrum of infectious diseases that are associated with remarkable morbidity and mortality [1]. In fact, community and hospital-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major health problem that has created a pressing need for novel therapeutic options [2]. Importantly, pathogenic staphylococci have not only an amazing ability to acquire resistance to antibiotics, but also to form biofilms, bacterial communities that grow on surfaces and are surrounded by a self-produced polymer matrix. This latter characteristic is likely the most important virulence factor of staphylococci in the development of the chronic form of infectious diseases in humans such as otitis media, osteomyelitis, endophtalmitis, urinary tract infections, acute septic arthritis, native valve endocarditis, burn or wound infections and cystic fibrosis associated infections.