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Review
. 2013:2013:150653.
doi: 10.1155/2013/150653. Epub 2012 Dec 23.

Innovative strategies to overcome biofilm resistance

Aleksandra Taraszkiewicz  1 , Grzegorz Fila, Mariusz Grinholc, Joanna Nakonieczna
Affiliations
Review

Innovative strategies to overcome biofilm resistance

Aleksandra Taraszkiewicz et al. Biomed Res Int. 2013.

Abstract

We review the recent literature concerning the efficiency of antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation toward various microbial species in planktonic and biofilm cultures. The review is mainly focused on biofilm-growing microrganisms because this form of growth poses a threat to chronically infected or immunocompromised patients and is difficult to eradicate from medical devices. We discuss the biofilm formation process and mechanisms of its increased resistance to various antimicrobials. We present, based on data in the literature, strategies for overcoming the problem of biofilm resistance. Factors that have potential for use in increasing the efficiency of the killing of biofilm-forming bacteria include plant extracts, enzymes that disturb the biofilm structure, and other nonenzymatic molecules. We propose combining antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with various antimicrobial and antibiofilm approaches to obtain a synergistic effect to permit efficient microbial growth control at low photosensitizer doses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scheme of photodynamic processes. Photosensitizer in excited state forms a long-lived triplet excited state. Type I reactions involve electron transfer from the triplet-state PS to a substrate, leading to production of, for example, lipid-derived radicals which can combine or react with other biomolecules and oxygen, eventually producing reactive oxygen species. In type II reactions, the energy is transferred from the triplet state PS to a ground state (triplet) molecular oxygen to produce excited singlet-state oxygen which can oxidize biomolecules in the cell. Both forms of reactive oxygen can cause cell damage and death.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Biofilm formation. Planktonic cells adhere to the surface and proliferate. During biofilm maturation, the extracellular matrix and quorum sensing molecules are produced. Mature biofilm is characterized by a large number of matrices, slow-growing microbial cells in the center, and fragmentation which leads to cell detachment and spread of infection.
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