Biofilms and the challenge they pose to our society

We encounter microorganisms constantly in our daily lives and many are beneficial to us. We need helpful bacteria to help produce foodstuffs (Shiby & Mishra, 2013; Haq, 2014), protect our skin, gut and mouth from more harmful bacteria (Gaucher, 2019; Seminario-Amez, 2017; Grice; 2011) and to help deal with waste and pollution (Verma, 2022). However, not all microorganisms are so helpful.

Some microorganisms pose a health risk to humans and animals. The recent pandemic has highlighted just how serious this can be. There is a need to control harmful organisms, and this is why antimicrobials and disinfectants are important. Unfortunately, resistance to these methods of control is increasing and as such, we are in danger of being unable to eradicate these organisms and treat infections. Reports have suggested that by 2050, we may see as many deaths from infections that we cannot treat, as we do deaths from cancer (O'Neill, 2015).

One main reason why these organisms are so good at evading our attempts to eradicate them is that they exist within a biofilm. A biofilm is generally a mixed community of organisms contained within a thick sticky matrix substance, which work together to avoid being killed. This thick matrix which surrounds the organisms and also acts as a protective barrier, which cleaning agents and antimicrobials cannot penetrate (Hall-Stoodley & Stoodley, 2005, Costerton, 1995).

Biofilms can be found everywhere - in our homes (taps, baths, surfaces, washing machines), in our workplaces (production lines, railings, money), associated with hospital surgeries (catheters, implants, wounds) and perhaps the most common place, in our mouths causing gum issues in the form of gingivitis. There is a requirement for new antimicrobials that can tackle these problematic biofilms, however standard testing fails to account for just how hardy these communities can be (Ramage, 2016). This is why BluTest Laboratories — A Tentamus Company are committed to testing products against biofilms in the lab to help guide innovation in this area.

BluTest Laboratories — A Tentamus Company have a dedicated biofilm team and work with established biofilm models to offer more confidence in the efficacy of client products before entering clinical trials. Additionally, our expert knowledge allows for the development of bespoke robust and reproducible interkingdom biofilm models specific to client needs. We are committed to continuing to assist in the development of new antimicrobials that can help solve our issues against harmful bacteria and difficult-to-treat infections!

The article is written by Tracy Rivett (Young), PhD.

Dr Tracy Young

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.blutest.com

Address: 5 Robroyston Oval, Nova Business Park, Glasgow G33 1AP

Tel: +44 (0)141 558 2782??

References:

Costerton, J. W., Lewandowski, Z., Caldwell, D. E., Korber, D. R. & Lappin-Scott, H. M. 1995. Microbial biofilms. Annu Rev Microbiol, 49, 711-45.

Gaucher F, Bonnassie S, Rabah H, Marchand P, Blanc P, Jeantet R, Jan G. Review: Adaptation of Beneficial Propionibacteria, Lactobacilli, and Bifidobacteria Improves Tolerance Toward Technological and Digestive Stresses. Front Microbiol. 2019 Apr 24;10:841. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00841. PMID: 31068918; PMCID: PMC6491719.

Grice EA, Segre JA. The skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2011 Apr;9(4):244-53. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro2537. Erratum in: Nat Rev Microbiol. 2011 Aug;9(8):626. PMID: 21407241; PMCID: PMC3535073.

Hall-Stoodley, L. & Stoodley, P. 2005. Biofilm formation and dispersal and the transmission of human pathogens. Trends in Microbiology, 13, 7-10.

Haq IU, Zhang M, Yang P, van Elsas JD. The interactions of bacteria with fungi in soil: emerging concepts. Adv Appl Microbiol. 2014;89:185-215. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800259-9.00005-6. PMID: 25131403.

O’Neill, J. 2015. Tackling drug-resistant infections globally: Final report and recommendations.

Ramage G. Comparing apples and oranges: considerations for quantifying candidal biofilms with XTT [2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] and the need for standardized testing. J Med Microbiol. 2016 Apr;65(4):259-260. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.000237. Epub 2016 Feb 25. PMID: 26916262.

Seminario-Amez M, López-López J, Estrugo-Devesa A, Ayuso-Montero R, Jané-Salas E. Probiotics and oral health: A systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2017 May 1;22(3):e282-e288. doi: 10.4317/medoral.21494. PMID: 28390121; PMCID: PMC5432076.

Shiby VK, Mishra HN. Fermented milks and milk products as functional foods--a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013;53(5):482-96. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2010.547398. PMID: 23391015.

Verma S, Kuila A, Jacob S. Role of Biofilms in Waste Water Treatment. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2022 Sep 12. doi: 10.1007/s12010-022-04163-5. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36094648.