Microbial Biofilms: New Insights into Formation, Resistance and Control

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Biofilm".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2025 | Viewed by 1637

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BioActive Research Group, Faculty of Biology, University Alexandru Ioan Cuza of Iasi, Iasi, Romania
Interests: plant–microbial interactions; PGPR; biofertilizers; biopesticides
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms are structured microbial communities formed on different surfaces which play an important role for the protection and survival of microorganisms against environmental stresses. Adherent cells are well known for their resilience and resistance to different antimicrobial agents. Therefore, biofilms pose significant medical challenges when pathogenic bacteria or fungi adhere to medical devices and wounds, leading to chronic infections that are difficult and sometimes impossible to treat. Understanding biofilm formation, as well as their structure, may provide essential information for developing new effective strategies to prevent biofilm formation or eradicate existing biofilms, leading to innovative therapeutic solutions.

Authors are invited to submit their latest original findings on biofilm formation, structure, and communication of biofilm cells as well as strategies used to control microbial biofilms to this Microorganisms Special Issue entitled “Microbial Biofilms: New Insights into Formation, Resistance and Control”.

Dr. Marius Stefan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • biofilm formation
  • biofilm surfaces
  • biofilm structure
  • multi-species biofilms
  • microbial communities
  • biofilm communication
  • biofilm cells resistance
  • biofilm control
  • new antibiofilm agents

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 7584 KiB  
Article
5-Fluorouracil Inhibits Bacterial Growth and Reduces Biofilm in Addition to Having Synergetic Effects with Gentamicin Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
by Amani A. Niazy, May M. Alrashed, Rhodanne Nicole A. Lambarte and Abdurahman A. Niazy
Microorganisms 2024, 12(11), 2257; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12112257 - 7 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 967
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant pathogen known for chronic infections, mainly due to biofilm formation. This study aimed to explore the potential repurposing of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer drug, to treat P. aeruginosa infections. Firstly, we investigated the inhibitory effects of 5-FU on [...] Read more.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant pathogen known for chronic infections, mainly due to biofilm formation. This study aimed to explore the potential repurposing of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer drug, to treat P. aeruginosa infections. Firstly, we investigated the inhibitory effects of 5-FU on bacterial growth using the microdilution method. Secondly, the impact of 5-FU on biofilm formation and disassembly was assessed via biofilm biomass measurements with the crystal violet staining method and confocal microscopy analyses. Lastly, the potential synergy between 5-FU and the antibiotics gentamicin and meropenem was evaluated using a checkerboard assay. Results revealed that 5-FU inhibited bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner, with 100% inhibition observed at concentrations of 25 µg/mL and higher. Also, 70% and 100% reductions in biofilm biomass were demonstrated at concentrations of 12 and 100 µg/mL, respectively. Controversy, these higher concentrations unexpectedly increased biofilm biomass in pre-formed biofilms. Synergistic interactions were observed between 5-FU and gentamicin in both growth inhibition (FICI 0.31) and biofilm inhibition (ZIP 14.1), while no synergy was found with meropenem. These findings highlight the potential of 5-FU as an adjunctive therapy for P. aeruginosa infections, especially in combination with gentamicin. However, further research is required to address 5-FU limitations against mature biofilms. Full article
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