Biofilm
Pronunciation: BY-oh-film
A structured community of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix, which can form on implanted or injected materials and cause delayed inflammatory reactions.
Full Definition
In aesthetic dermatology, a biofilm is a thin layer of bacteria or other microorganisms adhering to the surface of implanted materials or forming around injected substances such as dermal fillers, producing a protective polysaccharide matrix that renders the organisms highly resistant to antibiotics and the host immune response. Biofilm formation is a recognized cause of delayed inflammatory nodules and chronic low-grade infections appearing weeks to years after filler injection. Editors must use the term precisely and not substitute 'infection' or 'contamination,' which do not capture the resistant, encapsulated nature of a biofilm. In device regulatory submissions, 'biofilm risk' is a mandatory consideration for certain product classes. The term is written as one unhyphenated word ('biofilm'), not 'bio-film.'
Usage
Usage note: Do not conflate with 'infection' or 'contamination'; biofilm implies a specific antimicrobial-resistant structure. Write as one word: 'biofilm,' not 'bio-film.'
In Context
- "The delayed nodule appearing 14 months post-injection was attributed to biofilm formation on the hyaluronic acid filler substrate." — Case report discussion section
- "The regulatory submission included a biofilm risk assessment as required for Class III implantable devices." — Medical device regulatory document