Biofilms in oral cavity of dogs and implication in zoonotic infections

Abstract

Biofilm forming bacteria in oral cavity of dogs have an important impact on human health because they can transmit zoonotic infection after dog bites. Knowing the microbial composition of dental plaque biofilm is crucial for understanding oral and sistemic diseases in dogs but also those transmitted to humans. Recently it was found that biofilm is a key factor in delaying wound healing process of the skin. The skin is an essential component of nonspecific immune system, protecting the host of potential pathogens from the environment. Thus, breaches that appear in this protective barrier are a form of compromised immunity, which predisposes the patient to infection. Bites and scratches caused by animals and humans can inoculate microorganisms over the protective barrier of the skin. The objective of this study is to reveal that microbiology of infected wounds produced by dog bites is very similar to that of oral cavity in dogs. Delaying wound healing process is achieved by the fact that biofilms stimulate an ineffective inflammatory response, microorganisms in the biofilm become protected and an increase of the production of exudate provides nutritional source for biofilm growth.