The article by Rodney M. Donlan from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discusses the formation and implications of microbial biofilms on indwelling medical devices. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms embedded in an extracellular matrix, which can be highly resistant to antimicrobial treatments and pose significant public health risks. The article highlights the characteristics of biofilms, including their composition, growth rates, and resistance to antimicrobial drugs. It also explores the factors that influence biofilm formation, such as the duration of device use, flow rates, and the types of microorganisms present. The article provides detailed examples of biofilms on specific medical devices, including central venous catheters, mechanical heart valves, and urinary catheters. It describes the organisms commonly found in these biofilms, their sources, and the conditions under which they thrive. The effectiveness of various antimicrobial treatments and control strategies is also discussed, emphasizing the need for more reliable sampling and measurement techniques. Future research directions are outlined, focusing on developing better methods for quantifying biofilms, creating more realistic model systems, and understanding the role of biofilms in antimicrobial drug resistance. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing biofilms to prevent infections associated with indwelling medical devices.The article by Rodney M. Donlan from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discusses the formation and implications of microbial biofilms on indwelling medical devices. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms embedded in an extracellular matrix, which can be highly resistant to antimicrobial treatments and pose significant public health risks. The article highlights the characteristics of biofilms, including their composition, growth rates, and resistance to antimicrobial drugs. It also explores the factors that influence biofilm formation, such as the duration of device use, flow rates, and the types of microorganisms present. The article provides detailed examples of biofilms on specific medical devices, including central venous catheters, mechanical heart valves, and urinary catheters. It describes the organisms commonly found in these biofilms, their sources, and the conditions under which they thrive. The effectiveness of various antimicrobial treatments and control strategies is also discussed, emphasizing the need for more reliable sampling and measurement techniques. Future research directions are outlined, focusing on developing better methods for quantifying biofilms, creating more realistic model systems, and understanding the role of biofilms in antimicrobial drug resistance. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing biofilms to prevent infections associated with indwelling medical devices.