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Review
. 2024 Feb 14;206(3):101.
doi: 10.1007/s00203-023-03826-z.

Biofilm-mediated infections by multidrug-resistant microbes: a comprehensive exploration and forward perspectives

Mai M Zafer  1 , Gamal A Mohamed  2 , Sabrin R M Ibrahim  3   4 , Soumya Ghosh  5 , Charné Bornman  6 , Mahmoud A Elfaky  7   8
Affiliations
Review

Biofilm-mediated infections by multidrug-resistant microbes: a comprehensive exploration and forward perspectives

Mai M Zafer et al. Arch Microbiol. .

Abstract

A biofilm is a collection of microorganisms organized in a matrix of extracellular polymeric material. Biofilms consist of microbial cells that attach to both surfaces and each other, whether they are living or non-living. These microbial biofilms can lead to hospital-acquired infections and are generally detrimental. They possess the ability to resist the human immune system and antibiotics. The National Institute of Health (NIH) states that biofilm formation is associated with 65% of all microbial illnesses and 80% of chronic illnesses. Additionally, non-device-related microbial biofilm infections include conditions like cystic fibrosis, otitis media, infective endocarditis, and chronic inflammatory disorders. This review aims to provide an overview of research on chronic infections caused by microbial biofilms, methods used for biofilm detection, recent approaches to combat biofilms, and future perspectives, including the development of innovative antimicrobial strategies such as antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, and agents that disrupt biofilms.

Keywords: Antibiofilm strategies; Antibiotic resistance; Biofilm; Chronic infections; Future perspectives.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Cartoon representation of biofilm-mediated antibiotic resistance mechanisms
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Schematic representation of the biofilm formation and their various detection techniques (phenotypic and genotypic)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Chemical structures of natural metabolites (1–12) with biofilm inhibitory potential
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Chemical structures of natural metabolites (13–18) with biofilm inhibitory potential
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Representation of the advanced control strategies against biofilm and their possible mechanisms
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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