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The Role of Biofilms in Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

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Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses

Abstract

It has been estimated that more than 90% of bacteria live in biofilms. Biofilms represent a serious clinical concern because they are highly resistant to immune activity and conventional antibiotic treatments. Bacterial biofilms appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of various upper respiratory tract infections, including recurrent acute tonsillitis, chronic adenoiditis, chronic or recurrent middle ear inflammation, and chronic rhinosinusitis. In this chapter, we review new insights into biofilm-related upper respiratory tract infections and discuss possible therapies.

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  1. Otolaryngological Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Sara Torretta & Lorenzo Pignataro

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  1. Sara Torretta
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Correspondence to Sara Torretta .

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  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Marlene L. Durand

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Daniel G. Deschler

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Torretta, S., Pignataro, L. (2018). The Role of Biofilms in Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. In: Durand, M., Deschler, D. (eds) Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_3

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74835-1

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