Novel Approaches to Combat Medical Device-Associated BioFilms

Abstract

Biofilms are aggregates formed as a protective survival state by microorganisms to adapt to the environment and can be resistant to antimicrobial agents and host immune responses due to chemical or physical diffusion barriers, modified nutrient environments, suppression of the growth rate within biofilms, and the genetic adaptation of cells within biofilms. With the widespread use of medical devices, medical device-associated biofilms continue to pose a serious threat to human health, and these biofilms have become the most important source of nosocomial infections. However, traditional antimicrobial agents cannot completely eliminate medical device-associated biofilms. New strategies for the treatment of these biofilms and targeting biofilm infections are urgently required. Several novel approaches have been developed and identified as effective and promising treatments. In this review, we briefly summarize the challenges associated with the treatment of medical device-associated biofilm infections and highlight the latest promising approaches aimed at preventing or eradicating these biofilms.

Antioxidants: Classification, Natural Sources, Activity/Capacity Measurements, and Usefulness for the Synthesis of Nanoparticles

“…There are also reports on the inhibition of biofilm formation by AgNPs on medical devices, i.e., urological catheters, the surface of which was covered with nanosilver, were characterized by resistance to E. coli , S. aureus , and Candida albicans , even under continuous fluid flow conditions. [ 366 ]. Metallic/metal oxide nanoparticles, i.e., silver, gold, magnesium, titanium, zinc, aluminum, tantalum, and zirconium have been tested in orthopedics [ 367 , 368 , 369 , 370 ].…”

Bacterial Biofilm Destruction: A Focused Review On The Recent Use of Phage-Based Strategies With Other Antibiofilm Agents

“…So far, other than phage therapy, several novel approaches against bacterial biofilms have been proposed. 84 These include surface modification or coating methods, 85 the use of anti-matrix agents such as enzymes (DNase I or dispersin B) 3 , 86 and chelators of divalent cations, 87 the use of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides 88 , 89 or their synthetic derivatives, 90 and the use of QS inhibitors such as curcumin, 91 quercetin, 92 halogenated furanone compounds, 93 RNA-III-inhibiting peptide, ginseng extract, garlic extract, and pyrrhocoricin or microcin B17. 94 Others include nanotechnology with the use of metal-based nanoparticles (silver, gold, titanium, copper or zinc), green nanoparticles and polymer-based nanoparticles, 21 , 95 physical methods such as scrubbing and flushing, disinfection methods using chemical alkali-based and acid-based agents, ethanol, chlorine dioxide, or hydrogen peroxide, 94 use of monoclonal antibodies, 96 , 97 and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) using light-activated photosensitizers that generate cytotoxic species such as reactive oxygen species (ROS).…”

Performance of Graphene/Polydimethylsiloxane Surfaces against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa Single- and Dual-Species Biofilms

“…Implantable medical devices (IMDs) play an active role in the therapy of different medical conditions, enhancing the quality of life [ 1 , 2 ]. Although they are extremely successful in supporting or even replacing damaged body organs, IMDs (e.g., cardiac implantable devices, hemodialyzers, urinary or central venous catheters, contact lenses, artificial breasts, and orthodontal and orthopedic prosthetics) carry the risk of inducing future infections, seriously affecting the patients’ health and even endangering their lives [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Implant-associated infections (IAIs) present a high incidence, corresponding to 60–70% of the nosocomial infections reported each year in the United States [ 6 ], and are responsible for a severe burden on healthcare systems and high economic costs [ 7 , 8 ].…”