Table 1.

Diagnostic criteria for biofilm-associated infections.³⁰

Pathogenic bacteria must be associated with a surface

Direct examination of infected tissue must demonstrate aggregated cell clusters encased in a matrix, which may be of bacterial or host origin

Infection must be confined to a particular site of a host

Recalcitrance to antibiotic treatment despite demonstrated susceptibility of planktonic bacteria on sensitivity testing

Culture-negative results in the setting of a clinically documented high suspicion for infection

Evidence of ineffective host clearance as demonstrated by the presence of biofilm colonies in discrete areas in host tissue associated with host inflammatory cells