Current Strategies for Combating Biofilm-Forming Pathogens in Clinical Healthcare-Associated Infections

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Pathogenic biofilms are a significant cause of chronic infections, impacting healthcare, industry, and society.
• Biofilms contribute to bacterial persistence and antibiotic tolerance, complicating treatment outcomes.
• Medical implants and devices are common sites for biofilm formation, leading to device failure and patient morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and discuss current therapeutic strategies for eradicating biofilm formation.
• To explore novel approaches for combating drug resistance associated with biofilms.
• To highlight emerging anti-biofilm agents and technologies for clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of anti-biofilm strategies.
• Discussion of various therapeutic modalities including pharmaceuticals, natural compounds, and advanced technologies.
• Analysis of mechanisms of action for different anti-biofilm approaches.

Main Results:

• Identified a wide range of therapeutic approaches including anti-biofilm drugs, phytocompounds, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), antimicrobial lipids (AMLs), and matrix-degrading enzymes.
• Highlighted the potential of nanoparticles, phagebiotics, surface coatings, photodynamic therapy (PDT), riboswitches, vaccines, and antibodies in biofilm eradication.
• Emphasized the role of these strategies in overcoming antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions:

• Effective anti-biofilm strategies are crucial for reducing biofilm-related infections.
• Clinical validation of these diverse approaches is essential for developing novel preventive and therapeutic interventions.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview to guide future research and clinical practice in combating biofilm-associated infections.