Antibiotics versus biofilm: an emerging battleground in microbial communities

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2019 May 16;8:76. doi: 10.1186/s13756-019-0533-3. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Biofilm is a complex structure of microbiome having different bacterial colonies or single type of cells in a group; adhere to the surface. These cells are embedded in extracellular polymeric substances, a matrix which is generally composed of eDNA, proteins and polysaccharides, showed high resistance to antibiotics. It is one of the major causes of infection persistence especially in nosocomial settings through indwelling devices. Quorum sensing plays an important role in regulating the biofilm formation. There are many approaches being used to control infections by suppressing its formation but CRISPR-CAS (gene editing technique) and photo dynamic therapy (PDT) are proposed to be used as therapeutic approaches to subside bacterial biofim infections, especially caused by deadly drug resistant bad bugs.

Keywords: Antibiotics resistance; Biofilm; Drug resistance bacterial infection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • Bacterial Infections / radiotherapy
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / radiation effects
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Microbiota / drug effects*
  • Photochemotherapy
  • Quorum Sensing

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents