article · Archives of Microbiology
Microbial biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms encased in an extracellular polymeric matrix that adhere to living or non-living surfaces. These structures are frequently detrimental and contribute significantly to hospital-acquired infections. Biofilms possess mechanisms that resist both antibiotics and the human immune response. According to the National Institute of Health, biofilm formation is linked to 65% of all microbial illnesses and 80% of chronic infections. Non-device-related biofilm infections include conditions such as otitis media, cystic fibrosis, infective endocarditis, and chronic inflammatory disorders. Addressing these complex health challenges requires accurate detection methods alongside novel therapeutic approaches. Future strategies highlighted for combating multidrug-resistant biofilms encompass innovative antimicrobial interventions, including bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and specialised agents designed specifically to disrupt the protective biofilm structure.
Biofilm-forming microbes are a major cause of persistent hospital and chronic infections that do not respond effectively to standard antibiotics or natural immune defences. Understanding how these resilient microbial communities function and identifying alternative eradication techniques, such as phage therapy and disrupting agents, is critical for addressing life-threatening chronic conditions and reducing the global burden of antimicrobial resistance.
The work points towards therapeutic applications targeting chronic and hospital-acquired infections, which are relevant to clinical practitioners, pharmaceutical developers, and biotechnology companies. Potential solutions include bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and matrix-disrupting formulations. However, because this work provides a review of detection methods and emerging approaches rather than testing a specific product, the associated technologies appear to represent early-stage research.
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A biofilm is a collection of microorganisms organized in a matrix of extracellular polymeric material. Biofilms consist of microbial cells that attach to both surfaces and each other, whether they are living or non-living. These microbial biofilms can lead to hospital-acquired infections and are generally detrimental. They possess the ability to resist the human immune system and antibiotics. The National Institute of Health (NIH) states that biofilm formation is associated with 65% of all microbial illnesses and 80% of chronic illnesses. Additionally, non-device-related microbial biofilm infections include conditions like cystic fibrosis, otitis media, infective endocarditis, and chronic inflammatory disorders. This review aims to provide an overview of research on chronic infections caused by microbial biofilms, methods used for biofilm detection, recent approaches to combat biofilms, and future perspectives, including the development of innovative antimicrobial strategies such as antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, and agents that disrupt biofilms.
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DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03826-z
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