Biofilm Formation byHelicobacter pyloriand Its Involvement for Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

Bacterial biofilms are communities of microorganisms attached to a surface. Biofilm formation is critical not only for environmental survival but also for successful infection.Helicobacter pyloriis one of the most common causes of bacterial infection in humans. Some studies demonstrated that this microorganism has biofilm forming ability in the environment and on human gastric mucosa epithelium as well as onin vitroabiotic surfaces. In the environment,H. pyloricould be embedded in drinking water biofilms through water distribution system in developed and developing countries so that the drinking water may serve as a reservoir forH. pyloriinfection. In the human stomach,H. pyloriforms biofilms on the surface of gastric mucosa, suggesting one possible explanation for eradication therapy failure. Finally, based on the results ofin vitroanalyses,H. pyloribiofilm formation can decrease susceptibility to antibiotics andH. pyloriantibiotic resistance mutations are more frequently generated in biofilms than in planktonic cells. These observations indicated thatH. pyloribiofilm formation may play an important role in preventing and controllingH. pyloriinfections. Therefore, investigation ofH. pyloribiofilm formation could be effective in elucidating the detailed mechanisms of infection and colonization by this microorganism.