[Current progress in antimicrobial peptides against bacterial biofilms].

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Microbial biofilms are a major cause of bacterial drug resistance.
• Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are emerging as potential treatments for biofilm infections.
• AMPs exhibit unique properties for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the anti-biofilm mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides.
• To analyze data from the past 30 years on AMPs' effects on biofilms.
• To provide a reference for treating pathogenic microbial biofilm infections.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of published data over 30 years.
• Analysis of antimicrobial peptide mechanisms against microbial biofilms.
• Synthesis of findings on AMPs' efficacy in preventing colonization, killing biofilm bacteria, and disrupting mature biofilms.

Main Results:

• Antimicrobial peptides demonstrate diverse mechanisms to combat biofilms.
• AMPs are effective in preventing initial microbial surface colonization.
• AMPs can kill bacteria within biofilms and disrupt established biofilm structures.

Conclusions:

• Antimicrobial peptides represent a promising therapeutic strategy against antibiotic-resistant biofilm infections.
• Understanding AMPs' anti-biofilm mechanisms is crucial for developing new treatments.
• This review provides valuable insights for the clinical application of AMPs in infectious diseases.