Promising Therapeutic Strategies Against Microbial Biofilm Challenges

Abstract

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that are attached to a biological or abiotic surface and are surrounded by a self-produced extracellular matrix. Cells within a biofilm have intrinsic characteristics that are different from those of planktonic cells. Biofilm resistance to antimicrobial agents has drawn increasing attention. It is well-known that medical device-and tissue-associated biofilms may be the leading cause for the failure of antibiotic treatments and can cause many chronic infections. The eradication of biofilms is very challenging. Many researchers are working to address biofilm-related infections, and some novel strategies have been developed and identified as being effective and promising. Nevertheless, more preclinical studies and well-designed multicenter clinical trials are critically needed to evaluate the prospects of these strategies. Here, we review information about the mechanisms underlying the drug resistance of biofilms and discuss recent progress in alternative therapies and promising strategies against microbial biofilms. We also summarize the strengths and weaknesses of these strategies in detail.

Recent Advances in Research on Antibacterial Metals and Alloys as Implant Materials

“…Biofilm formation is a dynamic process that mainly comprises the following stages: bacterial adhesion, microcolony formation, biofilm maturation, and biofilm dissipation (Zhang et al, 2020b). The individual sparsely distributed bacterial cells attached to the surface gradually gather to form small colonies and secrete extracellular polymer matrix (EPS) to surround bacterial colonies.…”

Activity of Liquid and Volatile Fractions of Essential Oils against Biofilm Formed by Selected Reference Strains on Polystyrene and Hydroxyapatite Surfaces

“…Other methods are focused on targeting different biofilm developmental stages. Among these: antiadhesion agents (mannosides, pilicides, and curlicides), substances disrupting components of the extracellular matrix or promoting biofilm dispersal by affecting quorum-sensing [5,6].…”

Superhydrophobic Nanocoatings as Intervention against Biofilm-Associated Bacterial Infections

“…Biofilms can also be associated with the development of infections from indwelling medical devices, such as catheters, sutures, orthopaedic implants, heart valves, intrauterine devices, and vascular grafts. Some examples of the biofilm pathogens that commonly result in medical device-associated bacterial infections are Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Escherichia coli , and Klebsiella pneumoniae ( Table 1 ) [ 4 , 11 , 12 ]. Specifically, the formation of biofilms on medical devices used within the healthcare setting enables pathogens to persist as reservoirs which can be easily spread in patients [ 13 ].…”

“…Typically, approximately 35% of the biofilm volume is made up of microorganisms, while the remaining volume is constituted by EPS [ 18 ]. As such, the production of EPS is the hallmark of biofilm formation, in which the EPS facilitates the attachment of microbial cells to surfaces and promotes cell-to-cell adhesion and aggregation [ 4 , 12 ]. At the same time, the matrix of EPS functions as a three-dimensional protective barrier that shields the microbial cells against external threats, which may include the host defence mechanisms and antimicrobial therapeutics.…”

“…Over the years, studies have established that bacterial populations generally attach to solid substrates for their survival, forming dense microbial communities known as biofilms, whereby these bacteria are embedded in extracellular polymeric matrix that can be composed of polysaccharides, proteins, DNA, and water [ 1 , 3 ]. Besides, the sustained survival of microbials within biofilms can also be attributed to altered metabolic activities, genetic adaptation, as well as modulated communications of microorganisms within the communities in microbial biofilms [ 4 ]. Thus, biofilm formation represents a remarkable virulence mechanism in the pathogenesis of multiple chronic bacterial infections, including those arising from Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , as well as Escherichia coli .…”