Cooperative Evolutionary Strategy between the Bacteriome and Mycobiome.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Wound Healing
• Biofilm Research

Background:

• Nonhealing chronic wounds present a complex challenge due to unique origins and circumstances.
• Wounds harbor multispecies fungal and bacterial biofilms, representing intricate microbial ecosystems.
• Microbial dysbiosis within biofilms benefits microbes but harms the host, impeding healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the detrimental impact of interkingdom microbial cooperation in chronic wounds.
• To understand how biofilms contribute to the failure of wound healing.
• To highlight the mechanisms by which fungal and bacterial biofilms inflict host tissue damage.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of microbial community structures in chronic wounds.
• Investigation of interkingdom interactions between fungi and bacteria within biofilms.
• Assessment of biofilm matrix effects on microbial virulence and host response.

Main Results:

• Biofilm formation represents a cooperative evolutionary strategy for fungal and bacterial communities.
• Fungi exhibit increased virulence factors, and bacteria develop antimicrobial tolerance within biofilms.
• Interkingdom cooperation leads to the production of damaging extracellular enzymes and increased proinflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions:

• Fungal and bacterial biofilms in chronic wounds create a detrimental environment for the host.
• Tissue damage, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death result from biofilm-induced inflammation.
• Targeting biofilm matrix and interkingdom interactions is crucial for advancing chronic wound treatment.