The invisible battlefield: how microbes outsmart antibiotics and the global fight against resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a serious global health challenge, reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics and increasing the burden of infectious diseases. The excessive and improper use of antimicrobial agents in human medicine, veterinary practice, and agriculture has accelerated the emergence of resistant microorganisms. A key factor contributing to antimicrobial resistance is the formation of biofilms, which are structured communities of microorganisms embedded within a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix. This matrix protects microbial cells from environmental stress, host immune responses, and antimicrobial agents. Within biofilms, microorganisms communicate through signalling systems such as quorum sensing, enabling coordinated growth and enhanced survival. As a result, biofilm-associated microorganisms often exhibit significantly higher resistance to antibiotics than planktonic cells. Recent research has focused on developing anti-biofilm strategies, including antimicrobial peptides, nanoparticles, natural compounds, and bacteriophages, to disrupt biofilm formation and improve treatment outcomes. Understanding biofilm mechanisms and promoting responsible antimicrobial use are essential for controlling antimicrobial resistance and improving global health.