The biofilm paradigm: A milestone, not the destination
Abstract
Biofilms have profoundly shaped our understanding of chronic infection, yet their explanatory reach is limited. This commentary argues that chronicity emerges from a host-pathogen partnership, where host-derived structural, metabolic, immune, and systemic constraints define persistence, tolerance, and treatment responses beyond microbial architecture alone.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
Historical Medical Research and Treatments
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cell Reports
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 117014–117014
- Publication date
- 26 February 2026
- Language
- EN