Biofilms and veterinary medicine

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Biofilms are linked to various medical issues, including urinary tract infections, catheter infections, middle-ear infections, dental plaque, and more severe conditions like endocarditis and cystic fibrosis infections. Their significance in disease pathogenesis has only recently gained recognition. Bacterial biofilms are a key factor in wound healing failures, as they hinder natural healing processes and reduce the effectiveness of topical antimicrobials in infected wounds. Understanding biofilms can provide insights into microbial infections and lead to improved infection control strategies. These biofilms are involved in up to 80% of all infections, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of their role. Numerous studies on bacterial biofilms are referenced, showcasing their impact on both superficial and systemic infections and the limitations of current antimicrobial therapies, which often fail despite in vitro efficacy. In veterinary medicine, the awareness of biofilms and their implications for disease has not kept pace with that in human medicine, despite much research involving veterinary species. The clinical manifestations of biofilms in humans are mirrored in animals, yet there is a concerning indifference to the failures of antimicrobial treatments in veterinary contexts, particularly in wound management. This text addresses the implications of biofilms for animal health and disease, serving as a vital reso