Biofilms are simple to complex microbial ecosystems on surfaces. The study of Biofilms combine expertise from a wide variety of scientific disciplines such as Engineering (components, alloys, non-corrosive paints, etc), Physics (surfaces, flow dynamics etc), Veterinary / Medical (microbiology, pharmacology and therapeutics), and Food Hygiene.

These surfaces can be inert and thus indirectly linked to diseases in animal populations and patients, such as plastic water pipes in a reticulation system, air conditioning humidification and filtration systems, intravenous catheters, prosthetic devices or they can be biological and thus more directly associated with animal health such as granulomatous wound healing tissue, respiratory epithelium and epithelial to glandular mucosae in the udder. The ecosystems can consist of bacteria, fungi and / or yeasts that communicate with each other in various ways. The microbial organisms build a framework of an extracellular polysaccharide matrix (slime) that prevent the effective action of simple disinfectants / antimicrobials. Several studies have indicated a 10 -1000 fold higher resistance to certain

antimicrobials by bacteria in the biofilm growth phase, compared to the same isolate in the planctonic (free floating) form.

Some of these aspects have major practical implications regarding recurrent / reservoir infections, horizontal spread of resistance, nosocomial complications during longterm hospital and intensive care situations to individual patients and populations. Effective strategies against biofilms consist of an integrated approach where appropriate antibiotics / antifungals are combined with surface cleaning and disinfection using a compound chosen for its detergent plus disinfectant plus tissue friendly properties, such as the broad spectrum F10SC Veterinary Disinfectant / F10 Antiseptic Solution. Biofilm found on hard surfaces and the insides of pipes can be effectively removed by the combined use of a purpose built cleaner such as F919 Biofilm Remover followed by the application of the F10 disinfectant.

The formation of bacterial biofilms begin with the adhesion of a small number of bacterial cells to a surface (making the selection of effective biocidal disinfectants / antiseptics and