Title |
[Minireview] Antibiofilm agents: A new perspective for antimicrobial strategy |
Author |
Xi-Hui Li and Joon-Hee Lee* |
Address |
Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea |
Bibliography |
Journal of Microbiology, 55(10),753–766, 2017,
|
DOI |
10.1007/s12275-017-7274-x
|
Key Words |
biofilm, antibiofilm agent |
Abstract |
Biofilms are complex microbial architectures that attach to
surfaces and encase microorganisms in a matrix composed
of self-produced hydrated extracellular polymeric substances
(EPSs). In biofilms, microorganisms become much more
resistant to antimicrobial treatments, harsh environmental
conditions, and host immunity. Biofilm formation by microbial
pathogens greatly enhances survival in hosts and causes
chronic infections that result in persistent inflammation and
tissue damages. Currently, it is believed over 80% of chronic
infectious diseases are mediated by biofilms, and it is known
that conventional antibiotic medications are inadequate at
eradicating these biofilm-mediated infections. This situation
demands new strategies for biofilm-associated infections,
and currently, researchers focus on the development of antibiofilm
agents that are specific to biofilms, but are nontoxic,
because it is believed that this prevents the development of
drug resistance. Here, we review the most promising antibiofilm
agents undergoing intensive research and development. |