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Challenges of antibiotic resistance biofilms and potential combating strategies: a review

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Abstract

In this modern era, medicine is facing many alarming challenges. Among different challenges, antibiotics are gaining importance. Recent years have seen unprecedented increase in knowledge and understanding of various factors that are root cause of the spread and development of resistance in microbes against antibiotics. The infection results in the formation of microbial colonies which are termed as biofilms. However, it has been found that a multiple factors contribute in the formation of antimicrobial resistance. Due to higher dose of Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) as well as of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), a large batch of antibiotics available today are of no use as they are ineffective against infections. Therefore, to control infections, there is dire need to adopt alternative treatment for biofilm infection other than antibiotics. This review highlights the latest techniques that are being used to cure the menace of biofilm infections. A wide range of mechanisms has been examined with particular attention towards avenues which can be proved fruitful in the treatment of biofilms. Besides, newer strategies, i.e., matrix centered are also discussed as alternative therapeutic techniques including modulating microbial metabolism, matrix degrading enzyme, photodynamic therapy, natural compounds quorum sensing and nanotechnology which are being used to disrupt extra polymeric substances (EPS) matrix of desired bacterial biofilms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan

    Javairia Khan, Sumbal Mudassar Tarar & Muhammad Arshad

  2. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan

    Iram Gul

  3. Department of Statistics, The Women University Multan, Multan, Pakistan

    Uzam Nawaz

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  1. Javairia Khan
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Khan, J., Tarar, S.M., Gul, I. et al. Challenges of antibiotic resistance biofilms and potential combating strategies: a review. 3 Biotech 11, 169 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-021-02707-w

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