Biofilms in tuberculosis: What have we learnt in the past decade and what is still unexplored?

Abstract

Elucidating how Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces biofilms, and its impact for tuberculosis (TB) pathogenesis is gaining momentum. Here, we discuss recent findings reported over the last decade, which help us gain insights into the association between biofilm formation and TB pathogenesis. A new appreciation of extracellular TB phenotypes found in lung lesions will drive drug and vaccine discovery forward to new possibilities.

Keywords: Biofilms; Extracellular communities; Mycobacterium; Pulmonary pathogenesis; Tuberculosis.