Consider the following statements:
- Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
- Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
- Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- Biofilms are a collective of one or more types of microorganisms that can grow on many different surfaces. Microorganisms that form biofilms include bacteria, fungi and protists. One common example of a biofilm is dental plaque, a slimy buildup of bacteria that forms on tooth surfaces. Biofilms are ubiquitous and form on virtually all surfaces immersed in natural aqueous environments, e.g., water pipes, living tissue, tooth surfaces, and implanted medical devices (such as catheters and pacemakers) and dental implants.
Statement 2 is correct
- Persistent challenges in food processing settings involve the presence of biofilms. For example, in Cheddar cheese production, biofilms formed by Lactobacillus curvatus pose a potential issue, as they may result in a defect characterised by the formation of calcium lactate crystals. Moreover, these biofilms can adhere to equipment surfaces, posing a formidable challenge for removal.
Statement 3 is correct
- Biofilms can significantly increase antibiotic resistance, making bacteria up to 1,000 times more resistant compared to their planktonic forms. This is due to reduced antibiotic penetration, altered microenvironments, and the persistence of bacteria in dormant states within the biofilm.
- For instance, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumoniae show much higher resistance in biofilms than in free-floating forms.
