Aims and Objectives

Bacteria survive in nature by forming biofilm on surfaces, not only implanted devices but also human organ tissues. Biofilm growing bacteria cause chronic infections including device-related infections. Pathogenic bacteria forming biofilm are able to escape from both phagocytosis by mainly polymorphonuclear leukocyte and macrophages and action of antimicrobial agents. Therefore, clinical treatment of patients with device-related infections and biofilm diseases is currently not simple. The increasing knowledge about the nature and properties of biofilm growing bacteria is the basis for efficient prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of device-related infections and biofilm diseases. Further progress will rely on comprehensive efforts in basic, applied and clinical research.

This Working Group aims to:

• Clarify the molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation by pathogenic bacteria.
• Enhance the epidemiological surveillance of device-related infections and biofilm diseases.
• Examine the correlation between biofilm formation and bacterial pathogenesis.
• Establish the diagnostic procedure for chronic biofilm infections.
• Develop promising strategies for the treatment of patients with device-related infections and biofilm diseases.

The Working Group has written the following Work Plan:

• To organize educational meetings on bacterial pathogenesis and biofilm formation, epidemiology of device-related infections and biofilm diseases, microbiological diagnostic procedures and use of conventional and newly available drugs.
• Promote a network to collect data from the research laboratories to evaluate the epidemiology, etiology and therapeutic agents.
• To develop new strategies including use of biofilm-dissolving compounds and quorum sensing inhibitors for the treatment of patients with device-related infections and biofilm diseases.

Topics covered by this group include: 

• Antimicrobial agents
• Bacterial pathogenesis
• Biofilm diseases
• Clinical microbiology
• Device-related infections
• Epidemiology
• Genetics
• Molecular diagnosis
• Pathology
• Pharmacology

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Projects / Publications

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