Introduction:

One of the greatest advances in microbiology has been the knowledge of growth and development of microorganisms on surfaces forming biofilms, and its behavior and physiology are significantly different from those microorganisms that have an individual or planktonic growth. In this study, we describe the main characteristics of biofilms related to pathological processes in humans.

Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted in the databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and the generic search engine Google Scholar. In the study were included 35 articles, which met the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results:

We describe the etiologic agents involved in the formation of biofilms, the characterization of these organic sites where these can be formed and the pathogenic factors related to the formation of biofilms.

Conclusion:

Biofilm formation is influenced by animate and inanimate factors involved in the host.

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