Biofilms and Helicobacter pylori: Dissemination and persistence within the environment and host

摘要

The presence of viable Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) in the environment is considered to contribute to the levels of H. pylori found in the human population, which also aids to increase its genetic variability and its environment adaptability and persistence. H. pylori form biofilms both within the in vitro and in vivo envi-ronment. This represents an important attribute that assists the survival of this bacterium within environ-ments that are both hostile and adverse to prolifera-tion. It is the aim of this paper to review the ability of H. pylori to form biofilms in vivo and in vitro and to address the inherent mechanisms considered to sig-nificantly enhance its persistence within the host and in external environments. Furthermore, the dissemi-nation of H. pylori in the external environment and within in the human body and its impact upon infec-tion control shall be discussed.