Biofilm Formation on Medical Prostheses

Biofilms arise when microorganisms adhere to the surfaces of medical prostheses and secrete a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances, forming structured communities. Initial attachment is followed by microcolony formation, maturation into three-dimensional architectures and eventual dispersal of cells to colonise new sites. Polymicrobial consortia often combine bacterial and fungal species, enhancing resilience to host defences and antimicrobial treatments. Commonly affected devices include silicone-based voice and joint prostheses, indwelling catheters and cardiovascular implants. Surface characteristics such as roughness, hydrophobicity and chemical composition influence microbial adhesion, while host factors—local immunity, fluid dynamics and protein adsorption—further modulate biofilm development. Clinically, biofilm colonisation leads to device failure, increased risk of systemic infection, extended hospital stays and higher healthcare costs. Strategies to combat biofilms span surface modifications, release of antimicrobial agents and application of novel disinfection techniques. Understanding the interplay between material science, microbiology and host response is essential for the design of next-generation prostheses with intrinsic antibiofilm properties.

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Biofilm Formation on Medical Prostheses publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biofilm formation on medical prostheses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biofilm: A community of microorganisms attached to a surface and embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix.

Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS): Secreted polymers, including polysaccharides and proteins, that form the scaffold of a biofilm.

Polymicrobial biofilm: A biofilm composed of multiple microbial species whose interactions enhance collective resilience.

Nanomaterial: A material with structural features at the nanoscale used to modify surface properties and impart antimicrobial activity.

References

1. Νanomaterial-Loaded Polymer Coating Prevents the In Vitro Growth of Candida albicans Biofilms on Silicone Biomaterials. Antibiotics (2023).
2. Effect of silver sulfadiazine on mature mixed bacterial biofilms on voice prostheses. Journal of Otolaryngology (2023).
3. Voice Prosthesis Coated with Sustained Release Varnish Containing Clotrimazole Shows Long-Term Protection against Candida albicans: An In Vitro Study. Molecules (2021).