Biofilm formation – what we can learn from recent developments

TY - JOUR

T1 - Biofilm formation – what we can learn from recent developments

AU - Bjarnsholt, T.

AU - Buhlin, K.

AU - Dufrêne, Y. F.

AU - Gomelsky, M.

AU - Moroni, A.

AU - Ramstedt, M.

AU - Rumbaugh, K. P.

AU - Schulte, T.

AU - Sun, L.

AU - Åkerlund, B.

AU - Römling, U.

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - Although biofilms have been observed early in the history of microbial research, their impact has only recently been fully recognized. Biofilm infections, which contribute to up to 80% of human microbial infections, are associated with common human disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and poor dental hygiene, but also with medical implants. The associated chronic infections such as wound infections, dental caries and periodontitis significantly enhance morbidity, affect quality of life and can aid development of follow-up diseases such as cancer. Biofilm infections remain challenging to treat and antibiotic monotherapy is often insufficient, although some rediscovered traditional compounds have shown surprising efficiency. Innovative anti-biofilm strategies include application of anti-biofilm small molecules, intrinsic or external stimulation of production of reactive molecules, utilization of materials with antimicrobial properties and dispersion of biofilms by digestion of the extracellular matrix, also in combination with physical biofilm breakdown. Although basic principles of biofilm formation have been deciphered, the molecular understanding of the formation and structural organization of various types of biofilms has just begun to emerge. Basic studies of biofilm physiology have also resulted in an unexpected discovery of cyclic dinucleotide second messengers that are involved in interkingdom crosstalk via specific mammalian receptors. These findings even open up new venues for exploring novel anti-biofilm strategies.

AB - Although biofilms have been observed early in the history of microbial research, their impact has only recently been fully recognized. Biofilm infections, which contribute to up to 80% of human microbial infections, are associated with common human disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and poor dental hygiene, but also with medical implants. The associated chronic infections such as wound infections, dental caries and periodontitis significantly enhance morbidity, affect quality of life and can aid development of follow-up diseases such as cancer. Biofilm infections remain challenging to treat and antibiotic monotherapy is often insufficient, although some rediscovered traditional compounds have shown surprising efficiency. Innovative anti-biofilm strategies include application of anti-biofilm small molecules, intrinsic or external stimulation of production of reactive molecules, utilization of materials with antimicrobial properties and dispersion of biofilms by digestion of the extracellular matrix, also in combination with physical biofilm breakdown. Although basic principles of biofilm formation have been deciphered, the molecular understanding of the formation and structural organization of various types of biofilms has just begun to emerge. Basic studies of biofilm physiology have also resulted in an unexpected discovery of cyclic dinucleotide second messengers that are involved in interkingdom crosstalk via specific mammalian receptors. These findings even open up new venues for exploring novel anti-biofilm strategies.

KW - antimicrobial strategies

KW - biofilm formation

KW - cyclic di-nucleotide second messengers

KW - extracellular matrix

KW - underlying diseases

U2 - 10.1111/joim.12782

DO - 10.1111/joim.12782

M3 - Review

C2 - 29856510

AN - SCOPUS:85050493569

SN - 0955-7873

VL - 284

SP - 332

EP - 345

JO - Journal of Internal Medicine, Supplement

JF - Journal of Internal Medicine, Supplement

IS - 4

ER -