Dispersion: a new perspective for eradicating bacterial biofilm

Abstract:

Biofilm (BF), a self-protective structure formed by bacteria and other microorganisms to resist external stress, is tolerant to antibacterial agents and could cause refractory chronic infections. BF dispersion refers to the process in which the cells in BF actively escape, resume the planktonic lifestyle, and find new colonization sites during the formation cycle of BF. Since bacteria in the planktonic state are more vulnerable to antimicrobial agents and immune responses, inducing BF dispersion has become a promising strategy for controlling biofilm-associated infections (BAI). We summarize the regulatory mechanisms and signaling molecules of BF dispersion, generalize a table of substances that could affect BF dispersion, and briefly expound potential hazards after BF dispersion and the directions of future research in this field. By this review, we sincerely hope to provide theoretical reference for the development of new dispersants and drug targets.

Key words:biofilm;dispersion signals;dispersants;biofilm-associated infections