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Antibiotics
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Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy
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Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2020) | Viewed by 54784

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Roger Simm

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Oral Biology, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
Interests: biofilm; antimicrobial resistance; host-microbe interactions; microbe-microbe interactions; virulence; molecular microbiology; c-di-GMP; c-di-AMP

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms present an important problem in modern medicine. These matrix-enclosed microbial communities are involved in the majority of bacterial infections, are highly resistant to antimicrobial therapy and a common cause of therapeutic failure. The problematic drug resistance directly associated with biofilms depend on an increased but reversible phenotypic tolerance to antimicrobials that is restored to normal levels in dispersed cells. However, biofilms also create an environment that promotes adaptive evolution of the constituting bacteria, which display increased mutation rates and frequency of horizontal gene transfer, that contribute to development and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

This special issue of Antibiotics deals with biofilm-mediated mechanisms contributing to phenotypic antimicrobial resistance, development and spread of antimicrobial resistance in biofilms as well as novel approaches to diagnose, prevent and treat biofilm infections

Dr. Roger Simm
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.

Keywords

  • Antibiotics
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Biofilm
  • Diagnosis
  • Evolution
  • Horizontal gene transfer
  • Infection
  • Resistance mechanism
  • Mutation
  • Persistence
  • Phenotypic resistance
  • Therapy

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2305 KiB  
Article
The Iron-chelator, N,N’-bis (2-hydroxybenzyl) Ethylenediamine-N,N’-diacetic acid is an Effective Colistin Adjunct against Clinical Strains of Biofilm-Dwelling Pseudomonas aeruginosa
by Karla Mettrick, Karl Hassan, Iain Lamont and David Reid
Antibiotics 2020, 9(4), 144; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antibiotics9040144 - 27 Mar 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3095
Abstract
Targeting the iron requirement of Pseudomonas aeruginosa may be an effective adjunctive for conventional antibiotic treatment against biofilm-dwelling P. aeruginosa. We, therefore, assessed the anti-biofilm activity of N,N’-bis (2-hydroxybenzyl) ethylenediamine-N,N’-diacetic acid (HBED), which is a synthetic hexadentate iron chelator. The effect of [...] Read more.
Targeting the iron requirement of Pseudomonas aeruginosa may be an effective adjunctive for conventional antibiotic treatment against biofilm-dwelling P. aeruginosa. We, therefore, assessed the anti-biofilm activity of N,N’-bis (2-hydroxybenzyl) ethylenediamine-N,N’-diacetic acid (HBED), which is a synthetic hexadentate iron chelator. The effect of HBED was studied using short-term (microtitre plate) and longer-term (flow-cell) biofilm models, under aerobic, anaerobic, and microaerobic (flow-cell) conditions and in combination with the polymyxin antibiotic colistimethate sodium (colistin). HBED was assessed against strains of P. aeruginosa from patients with cystic fibrosis and the reference strain PAO1. HBED inhibited growth and biofilm formation of all clinical strains under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, but inhibitory effects against PAO1 were predominantly exerted under anaerobic conditions. PA605, which is a clinical strain with a robust biofilm-forming phenotype, was selected for flow-cell studies. HBED significantly reduced biomass and surface coverage of PA605, and, combined with colistin, HBED significantly enhanced the microcolony killing effects of colistin to result in almost complete removal of the biofilm. HBED combined with colistin is highly effective in vitro against biofilms formed by clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy)
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16 pages, 1337 KiB  
Article
Clonal Diversity, Biofilm Formation, and Antimicrobial Resistance among Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Strains from Cystic Fibrosis and Non-Cystic Fibrosis Patients
by Arianna Pompilio, Vincenzo Savini, Ersilia Fiscarelli, Giovanni Gherardi and Giovanni Di Bonaventura
Antibiotics 2020, 9(1), 15; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antibiotics9010015 - 02 Jan 2020
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 4424
Abstract
The intrinsic antibiotic resistance of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, along with its ability to form biofilm both on abiotic surfaces and host tissues, dramatically affects the efficacy of the antibiotic therapy. In this work, 85 S. maltophilia strains isolated in several hospital of central [...] Read more.
The intrinsic antibiotic resistance of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, along with its ability to form biofilm both on abiotic surfaces and host tissues, dramatically affects the efficacy of the antibiotic therapy. In this work, 85 S. maltophilia strains isolated in several hospital of central Italy and from several clinical settings were evaluated for their genetic relatedness (by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, PFGE), biofilm formation (by microtiter plate assay), and planktonic antibiotic resistance (by Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique). The S. maltophilia population showed a high genetic heterogeneity: 64 different PFGE types were identified, equally distributed in cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF strains, and some consisted of multiple strains. Most of the strains (88.2%) were able to form biofilm, although non-CF strains were significantly more efficient than CF strains. CF strains produced lower biofilm amounts than non-CF strains, both those from respiratory tracts and blood. Non-CF PFGE types 3 and 27 consisted of strong-producers only. Cotrimoxazole and levofloxacin were the most effective antibiotics, being active respectively against 81.2% and 72.9% of strains. CF strains were significantly more resistant to piperacillin/tazobactam compared to non-CF strains (90% versus 53.3%), regardless of sample type. Among respiratory strains, cotrimoxazole was more active against non-CF than CF strains (susceptibility rates: 86.7% versus 75%). The multidrug resistant phenotype was significantly more prevalent in CF than non-CF strains (90% versus 66.7%). Overall, the multidrug-resistance level was negatively associated with efficiency in biofilm formation. Our results showed, for the first time, that in S. maltophilia both classical planktonic drug resistance and the ability of biofilm formation might favor its dissemination in the hospital setting. Biofilm formation might in fact act as a survival mechanism for susceptible bacteria, suggesting that clinical isolates should be routinely assayed for biofilm formation in diagnostic laboratories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy)
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11 pages, 928 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of the Licania Rigida Leaf Ethanolic Extract against Biofilms Formed by Candida Sp. Isolates in Acrylic Resin Discs
by Maria Audilene de Freitas, Adryelle Idalina Silva Alves, Jacqueline Cosmo Andrade, Melyna Chaves Leite-Andrade, Antonia Thassya Lucas dos Santos, Tatiana Felix de Oliveira, Franz de Assis G. dos Santos, Maria Daniela Silva Buonafina, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho, Irwin Rose Alencar de Menezes, Maria Flaviana Bezerra Morais-Braga and Rejane Pereira Neves
Antibiotics 2019, 8(4), 250; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antibiotics8040250 - 04 Dec 2019
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3448
Abstract
Candida sp. treatment has become a challenge due to the formation of biofilms which favor resistance to conventional antifungals, making the search for new compounds necessary. The objective of this study was to identify the composition of the Licania rigida Benth. leaf ethanolic [...] Read more.
Candida sp. treatment has become a challenge due to the formation of biofilms which favor resistance to conventional antifungals, making the search for new compounds necessary. The objective of this study was to identify the composition of the Licania rigida Benth. leaf ethanolic extract and to verify its antifungal activity against Candida sp. and its biofilms. The composition identification was performed using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) technique. The antifungal activity of extract and fluconazole against planktonic cells and biofilms was verified through the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) following biofilm induction and quantification in acrylic resin discs by reducing tetrazolic salt, with all isolates forming biofilms within 48 h. Six constituents were identified in the extract, and the compounds identified are derivatives from phenolic compounds such as flavonoids (epi) gallocatechin Dimer, epigallocatechin and gallocatechin, Myricetin-O-hexoside, Myricitrin, and Quercetin-O-rhamnoside. The extract reduced biofilm formation in some of the strains analyzed, namely C. tropicalis URM5732, C. krusei INCQS40042, and C. krusei URM6352. This reduction was also observed in the treatment with fluconazole with some of the analyzed strains. The extract showed significant antifungal and anti-biofilm activities with some of the strains tested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy)
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13 pages, 1029 KiB  
Article
Exacerbations of Chronic Rhinosinusitis—Microbiology and Perspectives of Phage Therapy
by Joanna Szaleniec, Agnieszka Gibała, Monika Pobiega, Sylwia Parasion, Jacek Składzień, Paweł Stręk, Tomasz Gosiewski and Maciej Szaleniec
Antibiotics 2019, 8(4), 175; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antibiotics8040175 - 05 Oct 2019
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6475
Abstract
The chronically inflamed mucosa in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can additionally be infected by bacteria, which results in an acute exacerbation of the disease (AECRS). Currently, AECRS is universally treated with antibiotics following the guidelines for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS), as our [...] Read more.
The chronically inflamed mucosa in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can additionally be infected by bacteria, which results in an acute exacerbation of the disease (AECRS). Currently, AECRS is universally treated with antibiotics following the guidelines for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS), as our understanding of its microbiology is insufficient to establish specific treatment recommendations. Unfortunately, antibiotics frequently fail to control the symptoms of AECRS due to biofilm formation, disruption of the natural microbiota, and arising antibiotic resistance. These issues can potentially be addressed by phage therapy. In this study, the endoscopically-guided cultures were postoperatively obtained from 50 patients in order to explore the microbiology of AECRS, evaluate options for antibiotic treatment, and, most importantly, assess a possibility of efficient phage therapy. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated bacteria, followed by Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae. Alarmingly, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance were detected in the isolates from 46% of the patients. Bacteria not sensitive to amoxicillin were carried by 28% of the patients. The lowest rates of resistance were noted for fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. Fortunately, 60% of the patients carried bacterial strains that were sensitive to bacteriophages from the Biophage Pharma collection and 81% of the antibiotic-resistant strains turned out to be sensitive to bacteriophages. The results showed that microbiology of AECRS is distinct from ABRS and amoxicillin should not be the antibiotic of first choice. Currently available bacteriophages could be used instead of antibiotics or as an adjunct to antibiotics in the majority of patients with AECRS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy)
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Review

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12 pages, 890 KiB  
Review
Novel Approaches to Detect and Treat Biofilms within the Root Canals of Teeth: A Review
by Laurence J. Walsh
Antibiotics 2020, 9(3), 129; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antibiotics9030129 - 20 Mar 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4404
Abstract
Biofilms located within the root canals of teeth are a unique and pressing concern in dentistry and in medical microbiology. These multispecies biofilms, which include fungi as well as bacteria, form in a protected site with low shear stress and low oxygen tension. [...] Read more.
Biofilms located within the root canals of teeth are a unique and pressing concern in dentistry and in medical microbiology. These multispecies biofilms, which include fungi as well as bacteria, form in a protected site with low shear stress and low oxygen tension. Systemic antibiotics are of limited value because of the lack of blood flow of the site, and issues with innate and acquired resistance. Physical disruption using hand or rotary powered instruments does not reach all locations in the root canal system where biofilms are present. Alternative strategies including agitated irrigation fluids, continuous chelation, materials with highly alkaline pH, and antimicrobial nanoparticles are being explored to meet the challenge. Detection and quantification of biofilms using fluorescence-based optical methods could provide an indication of successful biofilm removal and an endpoint for physical and chemical treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy)
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29 pages, 3447 KiB  
Review
Bacterial Biofilm and its Role in the Pathogenesis of Disease
by Lene K. Vestby, Torstein Grønseth, Roger Simm and Live L. Nesse
Antibiotics 2020, 9(2), 59; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antibiotics9020059 - 03 Feb 2020
Cited by 464 | Viewed by 24817
Abstract
Recognition of the fact that bacterial biofilm may play a role in the pathogenesis of disease has led to an increased focus on identifying diseases that may be biofilm-related. Biofilm infections are typically chronic in nature, as biofilm-residing bacteria can be resilient to [...] Read more.
Recognition of the fact that bacterial biofilm may play a role in the pathogenesis of disease has led to an increased focus on identifying diseases that may be biofilm-related. Biofilm infections are typically chronic in nature, as biofilm-residing bacteria can be resilient to both the immune system, antibiotics, and other treatments. This is a comprehensive review describing biofilm diseases in the auditory, the cardiovascular, the digestive, the integumentary, the reproductive, the respiratory, and the urinary system. In most cases reviewed, the biofilms were identified through various imaging technics, in addition to other study approaches. The current knowledge on how biofilm may contribute to the pathogenesis of disease indicates a number of different mechanisms. This spans from biofilm being a mere reservoir of pathogenic bacteria, to playing a more active role, e.g., by contributing to inflammation. Observations also indicate that biofilm does not exclusively occur extracellularly, but may also be formed inside living cells. Furthermore, the presence of biofilm may contribute to development of cancer. In conclusion, this review shows that biofilm is part of many, probably most chronic infections. This is important knowledge for development of effective treatment strategies for such infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy)
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16 pages, 2101 KiB  
Review
The Usefulness of Microalgae Compounds for Preventing Biofilm Infections
by Yuly López and Sara M. Soto
Antibiotics 2020, 9(1), 9; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/antibiotics9010009 - 24 Dec 2019
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 7425
Abstract
Biofilms play an important role in infectious diseases. It has been estimated that most medical infections are due to bacterial biofilms, and about 60–70% of nosocomial infections are also caused by the formation of a biofilm. Historically, microalgae are an important source of [...] Read more.
Biofilms play an important role in infectious diseases. It has been estimated that most medical infections are due to bacterial biofilms, and about 60–70% of nosocomial infections are also caused by the formation of a biofilm. Historically, microalgae are an important source of bioactive compounds, having novel structures and potential biological functions that make them attractive for different industries such as food, animal feed, aquaculture, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical. Several studies have described compounds produced by microalgae and cyanobacteria species with antimicrobial activity. However, studies on the antibiofilm activity of extracts and/or molecules produced by these microorganisms are scarce. Quorum-sensing inhibitor and anti-adherent agents have, among others, been isolated from microalgae and cyanobacteria species. The use of tools such as nanotechnology increase their power of action and can be used for preventing and treating biofilm-related infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Infections — Time Bomb in Antibiotic Therapy)
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