Bacterial biofilm conundrum: insight into the frontiers of antibiotic resistance and state-of-the-art anti-biofilm interventions

Bacterial biofilms are organized multicellular structures enmeshed in a self-secreted extracellular matrix (ECM). The communities present an alarming challenge in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They act as a protective niche for microbes, provide chemical and physical protection to the resident cells, allow bacteria to endure host immune responses, and undermine the standard antimicrobial treatments. Despite advancements in microbiological research, biofilms remain an invisible frontier that complicates diagnostics and treatment. This perspective article provides insights into the enigmatic nature of biofilms and examines their role in human infections and diseases. It scrutinizes biofilm AMR mechanisms, including altered metabolic states, ECM-linked decreased antibiotic penetration, and augmented horizontal gene transfer. Further, it delves into the innovative anti-biofilm interventions for mitigating impact of bacterial biofilm on human health. The article also highlights the challenges in engineering ECM for eradicating the recalcitrant biofilms. The article emphasizes critical urgency to integrate biofilm-related research with the comprehensive AMR response, and advocates for interdisciplinary collaborations to transform laboratory discoveries into healthcare advancements. Research uncovering the complexity of biofilms and intriguing therapeutic approaches can address the requirement of revolutionary solutions to combat biofilm-associated infections and ensuing AMR. Overall, this perspective serves as a call to action, underscoring the compelling need to prioritize collective efforts in biofilm research to promote public health.