mgr Dominika Kuczyńska-Schulz, Dip. Sports Nutr., lek. Edyta Adamczyk-Kutera
Key words: bacterial biofilms, quorum sensing, extracellular matrix, hormon-like molecules, quorum quenching, polyphenols, probiotics
Abstract
Due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, the importance of bacterial biofilm is becoming an important area of research in many fields of medicine. Biofilm infections are also a problem in aesthetic medicine and dermatology. Commonly used tissue fillers promote the formation of biofilms. The skin microbiota can be an important predictor of complications in the form of biofilm infections. Due to the high tolerance to antibiotics, the presence of bacterial biofilms causes many therapeutic failures. In order to increase the effectiveness of the treatment undertaken, it is necessary to understand the essence of the bacterial biofilm. The use of antibiotic therapy in combination with compounds that have the ability to disrupt the structure of biofilm, the system of communication between bacteria (quorum sensing – QS) and the system of catalyzing antibacterial agents (efflux pumps), can significantly increase the treatment options. The antibiotic potential is demonstrated by a number of bioactive plant compounds such as polyphenols, berberine, curcumin, substances contained in garlic extracts, black cumin and oregano oils, as well as N-acetylcysteine, lactoferrin and enzymes.
The use of probiotics is an important complement to anti-biofilm therapies.
Based on the literature review, the article describes the bacterial biofilm and the quorum sensing phenomenon. Knowledge of the mechanisms of biofilm formation and methods that may disturb this process, among others by interfering with intercellular communication, allows for the introduction of more effective anti-biofilm therapies.
