The presence of biofilms in bacterial infections leads to:
Biofilms represent structured multicellular communities where bacteria irreversibly attach to biotic or abiotic surfaces and embed themselves in self-produced extracellular polymeric substances composed of exopolysaccharides such as alginate and Psl, extracellular DNA released via lysis, proteins, amyloids and lipids anchored via adhesins like CsgA curlin and Bap. Within biofilm microenvironments, steep gradients of oxygen, nutrients and pH create heterogeneous populations including dormant persister cells with low metabolic activity and downregulated macromolecular synthesis that are phenotyp
Ref: Madigan et al., Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 16th ed., Chapter 19: Biofilms and Increased Antibiotic Resistance.
