Biofilms in wounds: a review of present knowledge

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Wound Healing
• Biomedical Science

Background:

• Chronic wounds often harbor microbial biofilms, challenging traditional infection management.
• Current diagnostic methods primarily identify planktonic (free-floating) bacteria, not representative of in-vivo conditions.
• Biofilms, unlike planktonic cells, exhibit distinct physiological and metabolic properties contributing to persistence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the nature of microbial biofilms.
• To explain the impact of biofilms on chronic wound healing.
• To highlight the challenges posed by biofilm antimicrobial tolerance.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on microbial biofilms and chronic wound pathogenesis.
• Analysis of the differences between planktonic and biofilm microbial states.
• Examination of the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biofilm structure and function.

Main Results:

• Biofilms are complex microbial communities embedded in a self-secreted extracellular matrix.
• Cells within biofilms exhibit increased tolerance to antimicrobial agents compared to planktonic cells.
• The presence of biofilms offers a new perspective on the delayed healing observed in chronic wounds.

Conclusions:

• Understanding biofilm biology is crucial for advancing chronic wound care.
• The inherent resistance of biofilms to antimicrobials necessitates the development of innovative treatment strategies.
• Targeting biofilm formation or structure may improve therapeutic outcomes in chronic wound management.