Biofilms and Disease

The bacteria are not always isolated individual. Certain types of cells develop in clusters, each offering protection, sharing nutrients and sending signals to start the division or production of certain components.

Fungi, algae and other microorganisms can also produce these structures, known as biofilms or biofilms . Biofilms consist primarily of extracellular polymers that help the organisms to grow in colonies attached to surfaces. A common example in dental plaque.

Biofilms are studied for their potential commercial use, such as for wastewater treatment or treatment of diseases. Since biofilms are resistant to antibiotics increased, increasing our knowledge about them will help us develop better treatments for diseases caused by accumulation of the same.

Superbugs

Scientists are developing a vaccine for bacteria resistant to common drugs based on producing biofilms, which protect them from antibiotics. The discovery of these "superbugs" produce a sticky substance that induces an immune response in animals has led to the concept of the production of an antibiotic-risk patients in hospitals, elderly and anyone who comes in contact with them. The "goo" is a complex sugar called poly-beta-1 ,6-N-acetylglucosamine, which alone does not induce an immune response, since it is necessary to alter chemically.

Super infections bacteria have become a significant problem in hospitals worldwide, making research on control and prevention charging sudden importance. A microorganism "super", multiple resistance is Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of a microbe that grows naturally in our skin, but can get out of control in immunosuppressed individuals, or if they enter the body through an open wound. Only certain strains are resistant to antibiotics, but these can be lethal.

Of course, finding a vaccine against these superbugs will not eliminate the need for strict hygiene in a hospital, and to find a vaccine is rarely the answer to a problem. Of course, prevention of infection imply that everyone should be vaccinated upon entering the hospital before treatment, just in case, which is not very practical.

Treatment of cystic fibrosis

Many are familiar with cystic fibrosis as an inherited chronic disease that manifests as a layer of mucus inside the lungs and makes breathing difficult patients. What we know so far is that it also affects the pancreas and prevents absorption of nutrients from food, as it also affects the production of enzymes.

Many people who suffer from this disease consume enzymes to help digestion. Enzyme therapy has played an important role in the doubling of life expectancy of cystic fibrosis patients in the last 30 years.

This news was announced as part of a warning that children in this therapy presented higher levels of phthalates in urine. Phthalates originate from the capsules of enzymes and are included in manufacturing to help the passage of food from the stomach into the intestines.

Photos | Flickr

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