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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2014; 20(19): 5632-5638
Published online May 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i19.5632
Published online May 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i19.5632
Biofilm and Helicobacter pylori: From environment to human host
Apolinaria García, María José Salas-Jara, Carolina Herrera, Carlos González, Laboratorio de Patogenicidad Bacteriana, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Author contributions: All the authors contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Apolinaria García, PhD, Laboratorio de Patogenicidad Bacteriana, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Barrio Universitario S/N, Concepción 4030000, Chile. apgarcia@udec.cl
Telephone: +56-41-2204118 Fax: +56-41-2245975
Received: September 29, 2013
Revised: December 16, 2013
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: May 21, 2014
Processing time: 231 Days and 5.8 Hours
Revised: December 16, 2013
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: May 21, 2014
Processing time: 231 Days and 5.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: This review deals with the ability of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to form biofilm, and the role of the biofilm as reservoir for H. pylori infection. The ability of H. pylori to grow and form biofilm in vitro and in vivo could be advantageous for the species to successfully avoid injuries due to chemical stressors - such as antimicrobial therapy in vivo - or stress induced by nutrient deprivation. Therefore, the ability of H. pylori to form biofilm should be kept in mind when epidemiological strategies are planned to prevent the spread of this ubiquitous pathogen and for treatment of human infection.