Figure-2. NTHibiofilm life cycle. (A) NTHi in planktonic form escapes local
airway defenses and irreversibly attaches to receptors on airway cells.
(B) After evading local niches, NTHi aggregates and starts the
production of extracellular polymeric substance matrix which favorsNTHi survival in the form of biofilm. (C) Biofilm properties
enhance growth and survival of NTHi and other bacteria. (D)
Maturation of biofilm is followed by NTHi dispersal in planktonic
forms to subsequently develop biofilms in secondary niches. NTHi :
nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae . Created by
biorender.com