Infection 14 - Infections at a Surface

Question 1

Describe the processes in the pathogenesis of infection at surfaces

Answer 1

• Adherence to host cell or prosthetic surface
• Formation of biofilm
• Invasion + multiplication
• Host response

Question 2

What is a biofilm?

How do they protect bacteria?

Answer 2

• Biofilms are microbial communities attached to surfaces and encased in an extracellular matrix of microbial origin.
• They protect bacteria by preventing phagocytosis, antibody recognition and binding of receptors.