Microbial Biofilms in Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

Microbial biofilms defined as extremely complex ecosystems are considered clinically important for humans. However, the concept and significant roles of microbial biofilms in the progression of disease has seriously lagged in veterinary medicine, when compared with human medicine. Although the research on biofilms in animals is just beginning to emerge, limited studies have paid attention that microbial biofilms are clinically important in the field of veterinary medicine, especially the livestock industry, and lead to serious economic losses. In this review, the importance of microbial biofilms causing high economic losses in the livestock industry has been highlighted. Besides, the concept of microbial biofilm, their role in the pathogenesis of the animal disease, as well as diagnosis approaches and possible therapeutic strategies needed to overcome their detrimental effects in veterinary medicine, has been discussed.