Detrimental Biofilms

This table summarizes the many systems in which biofilms form with undesirable consequences.
System Impact of Biofilm Formation References
Toilet bowls Cosmetic degradation Pitts et al., Biofouling 13:19 (1998)
Cooling water towers Reduced heat and mass transfer Mortensen and Conley, CTI J. 15:10 (1994)
Heat exchangers Reduced heat transfer  
Paper manufacture Degradation of product quality Vaisanen et al., J. Appl. Microbiol. 84:1069 (1998)


Robertson, TAPPI, Reprint 566 (1992)


Holt, in Biodeterioration 7, p. 493 (1987)
Food processing Contamination Carpentier and Cerf, J. Appl. Bacteriol. 75:499 (1993)

 

Matilla-Sandholm and Wirtanen, Food Rev. Int. 8:573 (1992)
Metalworking Degradation of metalworking fluid Leder, Lubr. Engr. 45:217 (1989)
Photo processing Flawed prints, machine failure Elvers et al., J. Appl. Microbiol. 84:607 (1998)
Reverse osmosis Reduced membrane permeability, material
degradation		 McDonogh et al., J. Membr. Sci. 87:199 (1994)
Swimming pools Health risks, cosmetic degradation  
Household drains Slow draining sinks  
Process equipment Corrosion and biodeterioration  
Secondary oil recovery Plugging of water injection wells, souring (hydrogen sulfide production) and corrosion  
Drinking water pipes Health risks LeChevallier et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:220 (1996)

 

Camper, in Biofouling and Biocorrosion in Industrial Water Systems, Ch. 6 (1994)
MEDICAL INFECTIONS    
General Persistent infections Costerton et al., Science 284:1318-1322 (1999)


Potera, Science 283:1837 (1999)
Dental plaque Caries,
Gingivitis,
Periodontitis		 Marsh and Bradshaw, J. Ind. Microbiol. 15:169 (1995)

 

Darveau et al, Periodontol 2000 14:12 (1997)


Page et al, Periodontol 2000 14:216
Implanted devices

    - contact lens
    - urinary catheter
    - vascular catheter
    - central venous catheter
    - Hickman catheter
    - Swan-Ganz catheter
    - periotoneal dialysis (Tenckhoff) catheter
    - biliary stent
    - orthopedic device
    - prosthetic heart valve
    - cardiac pacemaker
    - IUD
    - endotracheal tube
    - nasogastric tube
    - hemodialysis units

 Persistent infections


Endocarditis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contamination
Drain blockage

 Khardori and Yassien, J. Ind. Microbiol. 15:141 (1995)

Nickel et al, J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 33A:31 (1994)

Nickel, Can. J. Infect. Control 6:38 (1991)

Cox et al, Br. J. Urol. 64:395 (1989)

Nickel et al, Urology 34:284 (1989)

Ramsay et al, Br. J. Urol. 64:395 (1989)
Nickel et al, Can J. Surg. 28:50 (1985)

 

Gorman et al, Epidemiol. Infect. 112:551 (1994)
Giangrande et al, Perit. Dial. Int. 13(S2): S133 (1993)
Read et al, Kidney Int. 35:614 (1989)

Hyde et al, J. Heart Valve Dis. 7:316 (1998)
Marrie et al, Circulation 66:1339 (1982)

 

Feldman et al, Eur. Respir. J. 13:546 (1999)
Gorman et al, Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Dis. 12:9 (1993)
Sottile et al, Crit. Care Med. 14:265 (1986)

Phillips et al, J. Hosp. Infect. 27117 (1994)
Phillips et al, J. Hosp. Infect. 21:193 (1992)
Chronic infections

    -otitis media

    -cystic fibrosis pneumonia

    -biliary tract infections

    -osteomyelitis

    -bacterial prostatitis

    -native heart valve

Persistent infections Potera, Science 283:1837 (1999)

 
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