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The Real Oscar Goes to Biofilms 
Why do biofilms win over efforts to control infection? It may be due to their ability to evade antibiotics and immune responses. Biofilms have a matrix, composed of extracellular polysaccharide substances, which may prevent the penetration of antibiotics. The microorganisms within biofilms have been shown to grow at slower rates and therefore have reduced uptake of antimicrobial agents. In addition, the physiology of the microorganisms within biofilms may be altered through differential gene activation which increases antibiotic resistance. The microorganisms within such biofilms may also escape the protective action of phagocytes. If you are interested in reading more about biofilms and urinary tract infections, see Saint S, Chenoweth CE. Biofilms and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2003;17(2):411-32.
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