Anti-Biofilm Strategies in Bacterial Infections

Biofilm communities of bacteria present major challenges to infection treatment due to their protective matrix that fosters tolerance to antibiotics and the host immune response. Anti-biofilm strategies aim to prevent biofilm formation, disrupt established biofilms or sensitise biofilm cells to conventional therapies. Approaches include inhibition of initial adhesion, blockade of cell–cell signalling pathways such as quorum sensing, enzymatic degradation of the extracellular polymeric substances and use of novel agents exemplified by peptides, phytochemicals or nanomaterials. Recent advances leverage high-throughput screening of natural product libraries, rational design of anti-adhesive surface coatings and engineering of nanoparticles that deliver antibiofilm cargo or generate reactive oxygen species in situ. Integration of diagnostic imaging with targeted therapies has enabled real-time monitoring of biofilm disruption in implant-associated infections. The global significance of these strategies is underscored by the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens in medical, industrial and environmental settings, prompting interdisciplinary collaborations between microbiologists, chemists and materials scientists. Translational research now focuses on optimising the pharmacokinetics of anti-biofilm agents, assessing in vivo efficacy in relevant animal models and exploring combination regimens that synergise with existing antibiotics. Such integrative approaches hold promise for reducing the burden of chronic and device-related infections by restoring the potency of antimicrobial therapies and mitigating resistance development.

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Anti-Biofilm Strategies in Bacterial Infections publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in anti-biofilm strategies in bacterial infections across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biofilm: A structured community of bacterial cells encased in a self-produced matrix attached to surfaces or interfaces.

Quorum sensing: A cell-density-dependent communication mechanism in bacteria that regulates gene expression, including biofilm formation.

Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS): A complex mixture of polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids that constitutes the biofilm matrix.

Nanocomposite: A multi-phase material with at least one component sized at the nanoscale, engineered to enhance antibiofilm activity.

References

1. Exploration of New Drug Candidate Derived from Antioxidants of Korean Native Halophytes: Control of Acinetobacter baumannii with Antipathogenic Activity. Antioxidants (2024).
2. An Overview of Biofilm-Associated Infections and the Role of Phytochemicals and Nanomaterials in Their Control and Prevention. Pharmaceutics (2024).
3. The role of nanocomposites against biofilm infections in humans. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2023).
4. Strategies for combating bacterial biofilms: A focus on anti-biofilm agents and their mechanisms of action. Virulence (2018).