ABSTRACT
Biofilms constitute a protected mode of growth that allows survival in a hostile environment leading to their inherent resistance to antimicrobial agents and host immune responses, which are at the root of many persistent and chronic bacterial infections. In both the healthcare and the food industry, the number of bacterial infections and noninfectious complications are rising due to the bacterial biofilms formation and the subsequent failure of many medical devices. Microscopy, especially light microscopy , and transmission and scanning electron microscopy played a pivotal role in the realization of the biofilm concept. The process of biofilm formation starts with colonization by microorganisms. The arrangement of bacterial biofilm can be extremely variable and complex. The resistance phenomenon also applies to fungal biofilms and has been documented with Candida albicans. Multiple explanations have been advanced for the high resistance of biofilms to antimicrobials.
