Biofilm and microbial adherence interface

Biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces, such as catheters and biological tissues, and are encased in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) including polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA (Donlan, R. M., 2002, Emerging Infectious Diseases). This interface serves as a protective niche, shielding microbes from host immune responses and significantly increasing their tolerance to antimicrobial agents compared to planktonic cells (Stewart, P. S., & Costerton, J. W., 2001, The Lancet). In clinical settings, biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices is a primary cause of persistent and recurrent infections, such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections (Percival, S. L., et al., 2015, Journal of Medical Microbiology). Therapeutic strategies targeting these interfaces focus on inhibiting initial bacterial adhesion, degrading the EPS matrix, or utilizing specialized delivery systems like antibiotic lock solutions to achieve high local concentrations (Booker, A., et al., 2011, Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy). Furthermore, the development of antimicrobial-impregnated materials and surface modifications aims to prevent the establishment of the biofilm-surface interface entirely (Hall-Stoodley, L., et al., 2004, Nature Reviews Microbiology). Understanding the molecular composition of these interfaces is essential for developing next-generation anti-infective coatings and treatments that can penetrate the biofilm barrier.

Other names

Microbial biofilmBiofilm matrixExtracellular polymeric substancesEPSBiofilm-associated surfaceSessile microbial community

Prevention of microbial attachment, disruption of the extracellular polymeric substance matrix, and penetration of the biofilm to eliminate sessile and persister cells.