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Antibiotics
Special Issues
Combating Biofilm-Related Infections: Novel Therapeutics and Strategies
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Combating Biofilm-Related Infections: Novel Therapeutics and Strategies

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Antibiofilm Strategies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2024) | Viewed by 11459

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ali Pormohammad

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; biofilm; host-pathogens interactions; molecular microbiology, metal-based antimicrobials; wound infection; wound healing; bacterial omics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As a Guest Editor for Antibiotics, I am honored to introduce the Special Issue, titled "Combating Biofilm-Related Infections: Novel Therapeutics and Strategies". This Special Issue explores cutting-edge research on biofilms, as well as complex microbial communities that challenge traditional antimicrobial therapies, leading to treatment failures and increased morbidity.

In this compilation, esteemed researchers and practitioners present groundbreaking research articles and reviews covering various disciplines, including microbiology, pharmacology, biotechnology, and clinical medicine. Topics include emerging antimicrobial agents, biofilm-specific drug delivery systems, immunomodulatory approaches, quorum sensing targeting, natural products as anti-biofilm agents, combination therapies, and diagnostic tools for biofilm-related infections.

We believe that the findings presented here will significantly impact the field of infectious diseases, offering promising avenues for therapeutic intervention against biofilm-related infections. Our sincere gratitude goes to all the authors, reviewers, and editorial team members for their invaluable contributions in making this Special Issue a comprehensive resource for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. We hope the shared knowledge will inspire further investigations and improve patient outcomes in the fight against biofilm-related infections.

Dr. Ali Pormohammad
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 4502 KiB  
Article
Farnesol Emulsion as an Effective Broad-Spectrum Agent against ESKAPE Biofilms
by Li Tan, Rong Ma, Adam J. Katz and Nicole Levi
Antibiotics 2024, 13(8), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13080778 - 17 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1002
Abstract
The family of ESKAPE pathogens is comprised of Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter. Together they are the main contributors of nosocomial infections and are well established for their ability to “escape” antibiotics. Farnesol is [...] Read more.
The family of ESKAPE pathogens is comprised of Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter. Together they are the main contributors of nosocomial infections and are well established for their ability to “escape” antibiotics. Farnesol is an FDA-approved cosmetic and flavoring agent with significant anti-biofilm properties. In a proprietary emulsion, farnesol has been shown to be capable of disrupting S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii biofilms. The current work demonstrates that this farnesol emulsion reduces the number of viable bacteria, while also leading to reductions in biomass, of the other three ESKAPE pathogens: Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter, both in vitro and in an ex vivo human skin model. A concentration of 0.5 mg/mL was effective for impeding biofilm development of all three bacteria, while 1 mg/mL for E. faecium and K. pneumoniae, or 0.2 mg/mL for E. cloacae, was able to kill bacteria in established biofilms. Contrary to antibiotics, no resistance to farnesol was observed for E. faecium or K. pneumoniae. The results indicate that farnesol is effective for direct cell killing and also has the ability to induce biofilm detachment from surfaces, as confirmed using Live/Dead image analysis. Our findings confirm that farnesol emulsion is an effective broad-spectrum agent to impede ESKAPE biofilms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combating Biofilm-Related Infections: Novel Therapeutics and Strategies)
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11 pages, 3631 KiB  
Article
Chestnut Honey Is Effective against Mixed Biofilms at Different Stages of Maturity
by Regina Koloh, Viktória L. Balázs, Lilla Nagy-Radványi, Béla Kocsis, Erika Beáta Kerekes, Marianna Kocsis and Ágnes Farkas
Antibiotics 2024, 13(3), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13030255 - 13 Mar 2024
Viewed by 2276
Abstract
The irresponsible overuse of antibiotics has increased the occurrence of resistant bacterial strains, which represents one of the biggest patient safety risks today. Due to antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in bacteria, it is becoming increasingly difficult to suppress the bacterial strains responsible [...] Read more.
The irresponsible overuse of antibiotics has increased the occurrence of resistant bacterial strains, which represents one of the biggest patient safety risks today. Due to antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in bacteria, it is becoming increasingly difficult to suppress the bacterial strains responsible for various chronic infections. Honey was proven to inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm development, offering an alternative solution in the treatment of resistant infections and chronic wounds. Our studies included chestnut honey, valued for its high antibacterial activity, and the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis, known to form multi-species biofilm communities. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of chestnut honey were determined for each bacterial strain. Afterwards, the mixed bacterial biofilms were treated with chestnut honey at different stages of maturity (incubation times: 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h). The extent of biofilm inhibition was measured with a crystal violet assay and demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As the incubation time increased and the biofilm became more mature, inhibition rates decreased gradually. The most sensitive biofilm was the combination MRSA-S. epidermidis, with a 93.5% inhibition rate after 2 h of incubation. Our results revealed that chestnut honey is suitable for suppressing the initial and moderately mature stages of mixed biofilms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combating Biofilm-Related Infections: Novel Therapeutics and Strategies)
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Review

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31 pages, 7849 KiB  
Review
Activity of Organoboron Compounds against Biofilm-Forming Pathogens
by Monika I. Konaklieva and Balbina J. Plotkin
Antibiotics 2024, 13(10), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13100929 - 29 Sep 2024
Viewed by 922
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved and continue to change in response to environmental stressors including antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance and the ability to form biofilms are inextricably linked, requiring the continuous search for alternative compounds to antibiotics that affect biofilm formation. One of the latest drug [...] Read more.
Bacteria have evolved and continue to change in response to environmental stressors including antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance and the ability to form biofilms are inextricably linked, requiring the continuous search for alternative compounds to antibiotics that affect biofilm formation. One of the latest drug classes is boron-containing compounds. Over the last several decades, boron has emerged as a prominent element in the field of medicinal chemistry, which has led to an increasing number of boron-containing compounds being considered as potential drugs. The focus of this review is on the developments in boron-containing organic compounds (BOCs) as antimicrobial/anti-biofilm probes and agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combating Biofilm-Related Infections: Novel Therapeutics and Strategies)
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16 pages, 3291 KiB  
Review
Medical Device-Associated Infections Caused by Biofilm-Forming Microbial Pathogens and Controlling Strategies
by Akanksha Mishra, Ashish Aggarwal and Fazlurrahman Khan
Antibiotics 2024, 13(7), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13070623 - 4 Jul 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3640
Abstract
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, include bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, skin and soft tissue infections, respiratory tract infections, and urinary tract infections. According to reports, Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria account for up to 70% of nosocomial infections in intensive [...] Read more.
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, include bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, skin and soft tissue infections, respiratory tract infections, and urinary tract infections. According to reports, Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria account for up to 70% of nosocomial infections in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Biofilm production is a main virulence mechanism and a distinguishing feature of bacterial pathogens. Most bacterial pathogens develop biofilms at the solid-liquid and air-liquid interfaces. An essential requirement for biofilm production is the presence of a conditioning film. A conditioning film provides the first surface on which bacteria can adhere and fosters the growth of biofilms by creating a favorable environment. The conditioning film improves microbial adherence by delivering chemical signals or generating microenvironments. Microorganisms use this coating as a nutrient source. The film gathers both inorganic and organic substances from its surroundings, or these substances are generated by microbes in the film. These nutrients boost the initial growth of the adhering bacteria and facilitate biofilm formation by acting as a food source. Coatings with combined antibacterial efficacy and antifouling properties provide further benefits by preventing dead cells and debris from adhering to the surfaces. In the present review, we address numerous pathogenic microbes that form biofilms on the surfaces of biomedical devices. In addition, we explore several efficient smart antiadhesive coatings on the surfaces of biomedical device-relevant materials that manage nosocomial infections caused by biofilm-forming microbial pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combating Biofilm-Related Infections: Novel Therapeutics and Strategies)
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23 pages, 5545 KiB  
Review
Emerging Issues and Initial Insights into Bacterial Biofilms: From Orthopedic Infection to Metabolomics
by Rasoul Mirzaei, Davide Campoccia, Stefano Ravaioli and Carla Renata Arciola
Antibiotics 2024, 13(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13020184 - 13 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2882
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms, enigmatic communities of microorganisms enclosed in an extracellular matrix, still represent an open challenge in many clinical contexts, including orthopedics, where biofilm-associated bone and joint infections remain the main cause of implant failure. This study explores the scenario of biofilm infections, [...] Read more.
Bacterial biofilms, enigmatic communities of microorganisms enclosed in an extracellular matrix, still represent an open challenge in many clinical contexts, including orthopedics, where biofilm-associated bone and joint infections remain the main cause of implant failure. This study explores the scenario of biofilm infections, with a focus on those related to orthopedic implants, highlighting recently emerged substantial aspects of the pathogenesis and their potential repercussions on the clinic, as well as the progress and gaps that still exist in the diagnostics and management of these infections. The classic mechanisms through which biofilms form and the more recently proposed new ones are depicted. The ways in which bacteria hide, become impenetrable to antibiotics, and evade the immune defenses, creating reservoirs of bacteria difficult to detect and reach, are delineated, such as bacterial dormancy within biofilms, entry into host cells, and penetration into bone canaliculi. New findings on biofilm formation with host components are presented. The article also delves into the emerging and critical concept of immunometabolism, a key function of immune cells that biofilm interferes with. The growing potential of biofilm metabolomics in the diagnosis and therapy of biofilm infections is highlighted, referring to the latest research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combating Biofilm-Related Infections: Novel Therapeutics and Strategies)
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