INTRODUCTION
Proteus spp. rods belong to the opportunistic human pathogens. The
most frequently isolated species are P. mirabilis, and less common
ones P. vulgaris, P. penneri and P. hauseri representatives. Proteus spp.
rods significantly contribute to urinary, respiratory and digestive tract
infections and skin infections, and, though less commonly, are
isolated from bloodstream infections.1,2 These rods can be
characterized by the presence of different virulence factors,
including biofilm structure formation.3–5
Biofilm is defined as a complex community of surface-associated
cells enclosed in a polymer matrix containing open water channels.6 It
can be described as a sessile community with cells that are irreversibly
attached to a substratum or interface (or to each other), are
embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances, water
and noncellular or abiotic components. A definition for biofilm
must therefore take into consideration the physiological attributes
of the microorganisms, including altered phenotype and gene
transcription.6