[BIOFILM FORMATION BY STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE]

Abstract

The biofilm process in Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is described. Virtually all wild-type pneumococci are capable of the biofilm formation. The pneumococcal capsule may reduce the biofilm production, and the propensity to form biofilms has a reverse correlation with the amount of the capsule material. Invasive pneumococcal isolates and noninvasive strains that persist in the nasopharynx have different biofilm potential. A number of issues related to effector and regulatory factors in the pneumococcal biofilms are discussed in this review. In the summary, a biofilm may be essential only for the persistent pneumococcal infection.