Consider the following statements : Biofilms can form on medical imp

Consider the following statements :

  • Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
  • Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
  • Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
All three statements regarding biofilms are correct.
– Statement 1 is correct: Biofilms are a significant cause of infections on medical implants like catheters, prosthetic joints, and heart valves, as bacteria can attach to the surface and form a protective layer.
– Statement 2 is correct: Biofilms readily form on surfaces in food processing environments and on the food itself, leading to spoogenic (spoilage-causing) and pathogenic contamination.
– Statement 3 is correct: Biofilms provide microorganisms with increased resistance to antibiotics, disinfectants, and the host immune system. This is due to the protective matrix, altered growth rates of cells within the biofilm, and genetic exchange.
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix. They can adhere to various surfaces, both living and non-living, and are ubiquitous in many environments, posing challenges in healthcare, food safety, and industrial settings.
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