Approaches for disrupting tissue-associated biofilms

There is no question that new antibiotics are sorely needed as bacteria become more and more resistant. However, another important cause of antibiotic failure is the tolerance bacteria exhibit to treatment when they are present within a biofilm. In contrast to the heritable changes bacteria undergo when acquiring new resistance determinants, tolerance is a reversible phenotype that is dependent upon being in a biofilm. Therefore, approaches that can successfully disrupt biofilms are likely to potentiate the efficacy of antibiotics. Biofilm removal by mechanical means is the conventional and most straightforward approach and includes desloughing and debridement. However, newer experimental approaches that target integral components of the biofilm itself are now showing promise.