Advances in bacteriophage-mediated strategies for combating polymicrobial biofilms

Abstract

Bacteria and fungi tend to coexist within biofilms instead of in planktonic states. Usually, such communities include cross-kingdom microorganisms, which make them harder to remove from abiotic surfaces or infection sites. Additionally, the produced biofilm matrix protects embedded microorganisms from antibiotics, disinfectants, or the host immune system. Therefore, classic therapies based on antibiotics might be ineffective, especially when multidrug-resistant bacteria are causative factors. The complexities surrounding the eradication of biofilms from diverse surfaces and the human body have spurred the exploration of alternative therapeutic modalities. Among these options, bacteriophages and their enzymatic counterparts have emerged as promising candidates, either employed independently or in synergy with antibiotics and other agents. Phages are natural bacteria killers because of mechanisms of action that differ from antibiotics, phages might answer worldwide problems with bacterial infections. In this review, we report the attempts to use bacteriophages in combating polymicrobial biofilms in in vitro studies, using different models, including the therapeutical use of phages. In addition, we sum up the advantages, disadvantages, and perspectives of phage therapy.

Gut phageome: challenges in research and impact on human microbiota

“…In addition, phages can also directly inhibit bacterial growth as a bio-barrier when they adhere to gut mucosa using their outer shell proteins. These phages could assist in eliminating pathogenic bacteria that invade the mucosa (Gliźniewicz et al, 2024).…”

Stability study in selected conditions and biofilm-reducing activity of phages active against drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

“…It is worth mentioning that A. baumannii has the ability to form a biofilm on various surfaces, including host tissues and surfaces of hospital equipment (e.g., urinary catheters), which further hinders the control of this pathogen 24 – 26 . Interestingly, bacteria forming a biofilm can coexist with other microorganisms (e.g., fungi), which additionally complicates the fight against these pathogens, protecting them against the action of antibiotics, disinfectants and immune system cells 27 . Conducted research shows that the use of bacteriophages/their enzymes allows for better penetration of the biofilm matrix and combating multimicrobial biofims.…”