Emerging concepts of biofilms in infectious diseases.

Bacteria are known to coalesce into microbial communities, termed biofilms. Although traditionally regarded as environmental phenomena, bacterial biofilms are increasingly considered to play a role in many human infections. Biofilms are most often evoked in the context of chronic infections that are refractory to current antibiotic regimens or infections that recur despite an acute response to therapy. Here we consider the available evidence for the involvement of biofilms in infectious diseases and their potential significance.