{"id":15325,"date":"2026-03-13T14:46:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T14:46:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:46:09","slug":"escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Escherichia coli biofilm: why urinary tract infections return"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Cystitis and prostatitis that recur, urinary disorders that improve only temporarily, the feeling of never fully healing: these are very common and often frustrating situations, especially for people suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections.<br \/>\nIn many cases, the problem is not the single acute infection, but the ability of some bacteria, particularly <em>Escherichia coli<\/em>, to persist in the body thanks to the formation of biofilm.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Indice<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/#Escherichia_coli_and_recurrent_urinary_tract_infections\" title=\"Escherichia coli and recurrent urinary tract infections\">Escherichia coli and recurrent urinary tract infections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/#The_role_of_biofilm_in_E_coli_infections\" title=\"The role of biofilm in E. coli infections\">The role of biofilm in E. coli infections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/#Biofilm_and_persistence_of_infection\" title=\"Biofilm and persistence of infection\">Biofilm and persistence of infection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/#Why_it_is_important_to_consider_biofilm\" title=\"Why it is important to consider biofilm\">Why it is important to consider biofilm<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Escherichia_coli_and_recurrent_urinary_tract_infections\"><\/span><em>Escherichia coli<\/em> and recurrent urinary tract infections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]Escherichia coli is the bacterium most frequently involved in urinary tract infections. It is responsible for the majority of cystitis cases and represents the main etiological agent in recurrent forms. <\/p>\n<p>In addition to classic cystitis, <em>E. coli <\/em>can also be involved in other disorders of the urinary and genital systems, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>urinary tract infections that recur multiple times throughout the year<\/li>\n<li>bacterial prostatitis<\/li>\n<li>persistent or poorly resolved urinary disorders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In these conditions, the bacterium&#8217;s ability to adapt to the environment and defend itself against treatments plays a key role.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_role_of_biofilm_in_E_coli_infections\"><\/span>The role of biofilm in <em>E. coli<\/em> infections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]When <em>Escherichia coli<\/em> forms a biofilm, the bacteria do not remain isolated; instead, they organize into a community embedded in a protective matrix. This structure adheres to the urinary mucosa or tissues and makes the microorganism much more difficult to eliminate. <\/p>\n<p>The biofilm can, for example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>hinder the action of antibiotics<\/li>\n<li>reduce the effectiveness of the immune response<\/li>\n<li>allow a portion of the bacteria to survive even after the end of therapy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For this reason, the infection may seem resolved, while in reality, a portion of the bacteria remains hidden, ready to reactivate over time[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Biofilm_and_persistence_of_infection\"><\/span>Biofilm and persistence of infection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]The presence of biofilm completely changes the behavior of the infection. It is no longer an isolated acute event, but a condition that tends to recur cyclically. <\/p>\n<p>Symptoms may subside, but the bacterial reservoir protected by the biofilm continues to represent a latent problem, explaining why many people experience:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>repeated episodes of cystitis<\/li>\n<li>only partial responses to therapies<\/li>\n<li>the feeling of never fully healing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_it_is_important_to_consider_biofilm\"><\/span>Why it is important to consider biofilm<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]Recognizing the role of biofilm in <em>Escherichia coli <\/em>infections helps to understand why some cases of cystitis are so difficult to eradicate.<\/p>\n<p>This approach allows for a shift toward more targeted strategies, which are not limited to attacking the bacterium in its free form but also take into account the structures that protect it and favor its persistence.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Cystitis and prostatitis that recur, urinary disorders that improve only temporarily, the feeling of never fully healing: these are very common and often frustrating situations, especially for people suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections. In many cases, the problem is not the single acute infection, but the ability of some bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, to persist in the body thanks to the formation of biofilm.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Escherichia coli and recurrent urinary tract infections [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]Escherichia coli is the bacterium most frequently involved in urinary tract infections. It is responsible for the majority of cystitis cases and represents the main etiological agent in recurrent forms. In addition to classic cystitis, E. coli can also be involved in other disorders of the urinary and genital systems, such as: urinary tract infections that recur multiple times throughout the year bacterial prostatitis persistent or poorly resolved urinary disorders In these conditions, the bacterium&#8217;s ability to adapt to the environment and defend itself against treatments plays a key role.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] The role of biofilm in E. coli infections [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]When Escherichia coli forms a biofilm, the bacteria do not remain isolated; instead, they organize into a community embedded in a protective matrix. This structure adheres to the urinary mucosa or tissues and makes the microorganism much more difficult to eliminate. The biofilm can, for example: hinder the action of antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of the immune response allow a portion of the bacteria to survive even after the end of therapy For this reason, the infection may seem resolved, while in reality, a portion of the bacteria remains hidden, ready to reactivate over time[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Biofilm and persistence of infection [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]The presence of biofilm completely changes the behavior of the infection. It is no longer an isolated acute event, but a condition that tends to recur cyclically. Symptoms may subside, but the bacterial reservoir protected by the biofilm continues to represent a latent problem, explaining why many people experience: repeated episodes of cystitis only partial responses to therapies the feeling of never fully healing [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Why it is important to consider biofilm [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]Recognizing the role of biofilm in Escherichia coli infections helps to understand why some cases of cystitis are so difficult to eradicate. This approach allows for a shift toward more targeted strategies, which are not limited to attacking the bacterium in its free form but also take into account the structures that protect it and favor its persistence.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]","protected":false},"author":178,"featured_media":14948,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[156,165,162,151],"tags":[173],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Escherichia coli biofilm: why urinary tract infections return - Future Live Srl<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Escherichia coli biofilm: why urinary tract infections return - Future Live Srl\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Cystitis and prostatitis that recur, urinary disorders that improve only temporarily, the feeling of never fully healing: these are very common and often frustrating situations, especially for people suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections. In many cases, the problem is not the single acute infection, but the ability of some bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, to persist in the body thanks to the formation of biofilm.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Escherichia coli and recurrent urinary tract infections [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]Escherichia coli is the bacterium most frequently involved in urinary tract infections. It is responsible for the majority of cystitis cases and represents the main etiological agent in recurrent forms. In addition to classic cystitis, E. coli can also be involved in other disorders of the urinary and genital systems, such as: urinary tract infections that recur multiple times throughout the year bacterial prostatitis persistent or poorly resolved urinary disorders In these conditions, the bacterium&#8217;s ability to adapt to the environment and defend itself against treatments plays a key role.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] The role of biofilm in E. coli infections [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]When Escherichia coli forms a biofilm, the bacteria do not remain isolated; instead, they organize into a community embedded in a protective matrix. This structure adheres to the urinary mucosa or tissues and makes the microorganism much more difficult to eliminate. The biofilm can, for example: hinder the action of antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of the immune response allow a portion of the bacteria to survive even after the end of therapy For this reason, the infection may seem resolved, while in reality, a portion of the bacteria remains hidden, ready to reactivate over time[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Biofilm and persistence of infection [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]The presence of biofilm completely changes the behavior of the infection. It is no longer an isolated acute event, but a condition that tends to recur cyclically. Symptoms may subside, but the bacterial reservoir protected by the biofilm continues to represent a latent problem, explaining why many people experience: repeated episodes of cystitis only partial responses to therapies the feeling of never fully healing [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Why it is important to consider biofilm [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]Recognizing the role of biofilm in Escherichia coli infections helps to understand why some cases of cystitis are so difficult to eradicate. This approach allows for a shift toward more targeted strategies, which are not limited to attacking the bacterium in its free form but also take into account the structures that protect it and favor its persistence.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Future Live Srl\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FutureLivesrl\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-13T13:46:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-13T13:46:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/escherichia-coli-piastra-petri-scaled.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1771\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Marta Librino\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Marta Librino\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Marta Librino\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/#\/schema\/person\/d8d117efcfc6064747bddb020d03fc4b\"},\"headline\":\"Escherichia coli biofilm: why urinary tract infections return\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-13T13:46:01+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-13T13:46:09+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/\"},\"wordCount\":593,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/escherichia-coli-piastra-petri-scaled.jpeg\",\"keywords\":[\"enflog\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Gynecology\",\"nephrology\",\"Thematic areas\",\"Urology\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/\",\"name\":\"Escherichia coli biofilm: why urinary tract infections return - 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Future Live Srl","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.future-live.com\/en\/escherichia-coli-biofilm-why-urinary-tract-infections-return\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Escherichia coli biofilm: why urinary tract infections return - Future Live Srl","og_description":"[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Cystitis and prostatitis that recur, urinary disorders that improve only temporarily, the feeling of never fully healing: these are very common and often frustrating situations, especially for people suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections. In many cases, the problem is not the single acute infection, but the ability of some bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, to persist in the body thanks to the formation of biofilm.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Escherichia coli and recurrent urinary tract infections [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]Escherichia coli is the bacterium most frequently involved in urinary tract infections. It is responsible for the majority of cystitis cases and represents the main etiological agent in recurrent forms. In addition to classic cystitis, E. coli can also be involved in other disorders of the urinary and genital systems, such as: urinary tract infections that recur multiple times throughout the year bacterial prostatitis persistent or poorly resolved urinary disorders In these conditions, the bacterium&#8217;s ability to adapt to the environment and defend itself against treatments plays a key role.[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] The role of biofilm in E. coli infections [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]When Escherichia coli forms a biofilm, the bacteria do not remain isolated; instead, they organize into a community embedded in a protective matrix. This structure adheres to the urinary mucosa or tissues and makes the microorganism much more difficult to eliminate. The biofilm can, for example: hinder the action of antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of the immune response allow a portion of the bacteria to survive even after the end of therapy For this reason, the infection may seem resolved, while in reality, a portion of the bacteria remains hidden, ready to reactivate over time[\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Biofilm and persistence of infection [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]The presence of biofilm completely changes the behavior of the infection. It is no longer an isolated acute event, but a condition that tends to recur cyclically. Symptoms may subside, but the bacterial reservoir protected by the biofilm continues to represent a latent problem, explaining why many people experience: repeated episodes of cystitis only partial responses to therapies the feeling of never fully healing [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:30&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] Why it is important to consider biofilm [\/vc_column_text][tm_spacer size=&#8221;lg:10&#8243;][vc_column_text]Recognizing the role of biofilm in Escherichia coli infections helps to understand why some cases of cystitis are so difficult to eradicate. 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