@article {pmid40041091,
year = {2025},
author = {Campos, JV and Pontes, JTC and Canales, CSC and Roque-Borda, CA and Pavan, FR},
title = {Advancing Nanotechnology: Targeting Biofilm-Forming Bacteria with Antimicrobial Peptides.},
journal = {BME frontiers},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {0104},
pmid = {40041091},
issn = {2765-8031},
abstract = {Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions for addressing the challenges posed by biofilm-forming bacteria, which are highly resistant to conventional antimicrobial therapies. This review explores the integration of pharmaceutical nanotechnology with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to enhance the treatment of biofilm-related infections. The use of various nanoparticle systems-including inorganic/metallic, polymeric, lipid-based, and dendrimer nanostructures-provides promising avenues for improving drug delivery, targeting, and biofilm disruption. These nanocarriers facilitate the penetration of biofilms, down-regulate biofilm-associated genes, such as ALS1, ALS3, EFG1, and HWP1, and inhibit bacterial defense mechanisms through membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species generation, and intracellular targeting. Furthermore, nanoparticle formulations such as NZ2114-NPs demonstrate enhanced efficacy by reducing biofilm bacterial counts by several orders of magnitude. This review highlights the potential of combining nanotechnology with AMPs to create novel, targeted therapeutic approaches for combatting biofilm-related infections and overcoming the limitations of traditional antimicrobial treatments.},
}

@article {pmid40040432,
year = {2025},
author = {Mukherjee, S and Chakravarty, S and Haldar, J},
title = {Revitalizing Antibiotics with Macromolecular Engineering: Tackling Gram-Negative Superbugs and Mixed Species Bacterial Biofilm Infections In Vivo.},
journal = {Biomacromolecules},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.biomac.4c01520},
pmid = {40040432},
issn = {1526-4602},
abstract = {The escalating prevalence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, coupled with dwindling antibiotic development, has created a critical void in the clinical pipeline. This alarming issue is exacerbated by the formation of biofilms by these superbugs and their frequent coexistence in mixed-species biofilms, conferring extreme antibiotic tolerance. Herein, we present an amphiphilic cationic macromolecule, ACM-AHex, as an innovative antibiotic adjuvant to rejuvenate and repurpose resistant antibiotics, for instance, rifampicin, fusidic acid, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol. ACM-AHex mildly perturbs the bacterial membrane, enhancing antibiotic permeability, hampers efflux machinery, and produces reactive oxygen species, resulting in a remarkable 64-1024-fold potentiation in antibacterial activity. The macromolecule reduces bacterial virulence and macromolecule-drug cocktail significantly eradicate both mono- and multispecies bacterial biofilms, achieving >99.9% bacterial reduction in the murine biofilm infection model. Demonstrating potent biocompatibility across multiple administration routes, ACM-AHex offers a promising strategy to restore obsolete antibiotics and combat recalcitrant Gram-negative biofilm-associated infections, advocating for further clinical evaluation as a next-generation macromolecular antibiotic adjuvant.},
}

@article {pmid40038354,
year = {2025},
author = {Ammar, HA and Samy, R and Reda, FM and Hassanein, WA},
title = {Essential oils and Lactobacillus metabolites as alternative antibiofilm agents against foodborne bacteria and molecular analysis of biofilm regulatory genes.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {7576},
pmid = {40038354},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Oils, Volatile/pharmacology ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Bacillus cereus/drug effects/genetics/physiology ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Food Microbiology ; Lactobacillus/drug effects/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects ; Foodborne Diseases/prevention & control/microbiology ; Genes, Regulator ; Lactobacillus pentosus/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The formation of biofilm by foodborne pathogens increases the risk of foodborne diseases, resulting in major health risks. Research on strategies for eliminating biofilm formation by foodborne pathogens is urgently needed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to construct a new technique for controlling foodborne bacteria and inhibiting the biosynthesis of biofilm via using natural products. The essential orange oil (EOO) and cell-free filtrate of Lactobacillus pentosus RS2 were used as antibacterial and antibiofilm agents against B. cereus RS1, the strongest biofilm-forming strain. The mixture of cell-free filtrate (CFF) and EOO (CFF/EOO) was the best antibiofilm agent under all tested conditions. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) test revealed that 400 μl ml[-1] CFF and 16 μl ml[-1] EOO completely inhibited the growth of B. cereus. The treatment of three commercial surfaces with CFF/EOO resulted in a high reduction in biofilm synthesis, with adhesion percentages of 33.3, 36.3, and 40.8% on stainless steel, aluminum foil, and aluminum, respectively. The aluminum surface had the greatest adhesion with B. cereus RS1 among the three tested surfaces. These results were confirmed by expression analysis of three essential coding genes, sinR, calY, and spo0A, participating in biofilm formation in B. cereus. The biofilm-negative regulator gene sinR was overexpressed, whereas the biofilm-positive regulator genes calY and spo0A were down-expressed in B. cereus RS1 after treatment with antibiofilm agents, compared with those in the untreated sample. This study revealed that CFF/EOO was more effective at activating sinR (2.099 ± 0.167-fold increase) and suppressing calY and spo0A (0.314 ± 0.058 and0.238 ± 0.04-fold decrease, respectively) compared to control. This result confirmed the biochemical estimation of biofilm formation in B. cereus after treatment with all the experimental agents. The EOO and CFF of L. pentosus RS2 can be used as strong antibacterial and antibiofilm agents against foodborne bacteria. These products reduced the biofilm formation on trade surfaces affecting the expression of three essential biofilm regulatory genes. This study considered novel research concerning the potential antibiofilm activity of EOO combined with CFF of L. pentosus and the molecular analysis of genes regulating biofilm production under stress of CFF/EOO.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Oils, Volatile/pharmacology
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Bacillus cereus/drug effects/genetics/physiology
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Food Microbiology
Lactobacillus/drug effects/genetics/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects
Foodborne Diseases/prevention & control/microbiology
Genes, Regulator
Lactobacillus pentosus/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid40037188,
year = {2025},
author = {Ding, Y and Wang, J and Chen, Y and Yang, Y and Liu, X},
title = {Natural transformation of antibiotic resistance genes and the enhanced adaptability in bacterial biofilm under antibiotic and heavy metal stresses.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {490},
number = {},
pages = {137740},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137740},
pmid = {40037188},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Bacterial biofilms are hotspots for the natural transformation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Antibiotics and heavy metals at the sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) are ubiquitous in water environments, but their impact on the ARG dissemination via natural transformation in biofilms and the biofilm development remains poorly understood. This study found that the individual stressors including tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, and Zn at the sub-MIC levels, significantly enhanced ARG transformation. Notably, Zn exhibited the most obvious effect, increasing transformation frequencies by up to 4.62-fold in B. subtilis and 6.42-fold in A. baylyi biofilms. Their combined stressors increased the higher ARG transformation compared to the individual. These stressors significantly elevated ARG transformation by stimulating reactive oxygen species generation, increasing membrane permeability, and enhancing polysaccharide production. Meanwhile, the bacterial adaptability in biofilm to stressors was achieved via ARG transformation, and the biofilm growth was increased by 25.4 % in B. subtilis and 49.6 % in A. baylyi, respectively, compared to biofilms without natural transformation. Except for ARG uptake via transformation, the enhanced bacterial adaptability in biofilms to stressors can also be attributed to the expression of the plasmid-borne SOS response-related genes. These findings broaden the understanding of the influence of sub-MIC stressors in ARG dissemination in biofilm.},
}

@article {pmid40037051,
year = {2025},
author = {Gemba, M and Rosiak, E and Kołożyn-Krajewska, D},
title = {Development of predictive models of biofilm formation by C. sakazakii, E. cloacae on surfaces used in the food industry and medicine.},
journal = {International journal of food microbiology},
volume = {434},
number = {},
pages = {111131},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2025.111131},
pmid = {40037051},
issn = {1879-3460},
abstract = {Cronobacter sakazakii and Enterobacter cloacae exhibit the ability to form biofilms, making them resistant to drying, antibiotics, and changes in pH. These biofilms can adhere to different surfaces, including tissues, catheters, enteral feeding tubes, and work surfaces, potentially leading to cross-infection risks in both the food and medical sectors. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model of biofilm formation over time by C. sakazakii and E. cloacae on medical polyvinyl chloride (PVC) at 37 °C and stainless steel (SS), polypropylene (PP) surfaces at 4 °C and different microbial inoculum concentration. A staining method and spectrophotometric measurement were used to assess biofilm formation. SyStat Software Inc. for Windows Table curve 3D v.4.0.05 and non-linear functions were used to develop predictive models. Analysis of biofilm formation on SS and PP surfaces at 4 °C by all analyzed bacteria suggests that hygiene procedures in refrigeration equipment should be performed daily, the maximum safe storage time for bottled milk is 24 h. At 37 °C E. cloacae posed the highest risk of biofilm formation on the surface of PVC tubing at 6-36 h. The six best response surface models of biofilm formation were selected for presentation. The majority of these models demonstrated good accuracy, as evidenced low mean standard errors (MSE), high coefficient R[2] and Adjusted R(Aung and Chang, 2014[2)]. These models can be utilized to evaluate the microbiological risks in settings such as human milk banks, neonatal intensive care units and food industry plants.},
}

@article {pmid40035601,
year = {2025},
author = {Jones, LM and Salta, M and Lund Skovhus, T and Thomas, K and Illson, T and Wharton, J and Webb, JS},
title = {Toward simulating offshore oilfield conditions: insights into microbiologically influenced corrosion from a dual anaerobic biofilm reactor.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0222124},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02221-24},
pmid = {40035601},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Oilfield systems are a multifaceted ecological niche, which consistently experiences microbiologically influenced corrosion. However, simulating the environmental conditions of an offshore system within the laboratory is notoriously difficult. A novel dual anaerobic biofilm reactor protocol allowed a complex mixed-species marine biofilm to be studied. Interestingly, electroactive corrosive bacteria and fermentative electroactive bacteria growth was supported within the biofilm microenvironment. Critically, the biotic condition exhibited pits with a greater average area, which is characteristic of microbiologically influenced corrosion. This research seeks to bridge the gap between experimental and real-world scenarios, ultimately enhancing the reliability of biofilm management strategies in the industry.

IMPORTANCE: It is becoming more widely understood that any investigation of microbiologically influenced corrosion requires a multidisciplinary focus on multiple lines of evidence. Although there are numerous standards available to guide specific types of testing, there are none that focus on integrating biofilm testing. By developing a novel dual anaerobic reactor model to study biofilms, insights into the different abiotic and biotic corrosion mechanisms under relevant environmental conditions can be gained. Using multiple lines of evidence to gain a holistic understanding, more sustainable prevention and mitigation strategies can be designed. To our knowledge, this is the first time all these metrics have been combined in one unified approach. The overall aim of this paper was to explore recent advances in biofilm testing and corrosion research and provide recommendations for future standards being drafted. However, it is important to note that this article itself is not intending to serve as a standard.},
}

@article {pmid40034339,
year = {2025},
author = {Oukrich, S and Hong, J and Leon-Grooters, M and van Cappellen, WA and Slotman, JA and Koenderink, GH and van Wamel, WJB and de Maat, MPM and Kooiman, K and Lattwein, KR},
title = {Early fibrin biofilm development in cardiovascular infections.},
journal = {Biofilm},
volume = {9},
number = {},
pages = {100261},
pmid = {40034339},
issn = {2590-2075},
abstract = {The single most common microbe causing cardiovascular infections is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). S. aureus produces coagulase that converts fibrinogen to fibrin, which is incorporated into biofilms. This process aids in adherence to intravascular structures, defense against the host immune system, and resistance to antimicrobial treatment. Despite its significance, fibrin formation in S. aureus biofilms remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the early development of cardiovascular biofilms. Clinically isolated coagulase-positive S. aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus lugdunensis (S. lugdunensis) from patients with cardiovascular infections, and a coagulase mutant S. aureus Δcoa, were grown in tryptic soy broth (TSB), Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM), and pooled human plasma, with or without porcine heart valves. Bacterial growth, metabolic activity, and bacterial fibrinogen utilization were measured over 24 h at 37 °C. Time-lapse confocal microscopy was used to visualize and track biofilm development. S. aureus exhibited more growth in TSB and human plasma than S. lugdunensis and S. aureus Δcoa, but showed similar growth in IMDM after 24 h. Peak metabolic activity for all isolates was highest in TSB and lowest in human plasma. The presence of porcine valves caused strain-dependent alterations in time to peak metabolic activity. Confocal imaging revealed fibrin-based biofilm development exclusively in the coagulase-producing S. aureus strains. Between 2 and 6 h of biofilm development, 74.9 % (p = 0.034) of the fibrinogen from the medium was converted to fibrin. Variations in fibrin network porosity and density were observed among different coagulase-producing S. aureus strains. Fibrin formation is mediated by S. aureus coagulase and first strands occurred within 3 h for clinical strains after exposure to human plasma. This study stresses the importance of experimental design given the bacterial changes due to different media and substrates and provides insights into the early pathogenesis of S. aureus cardiovascular biofilms.},
}

@article {pmid40033797,
year = {2025},
author = {Nick, SE and Bryers, JD and Daggett, V},
title = {Layer-By-Layer Functionalized Gauze With Designed α-Sheet Peptides Inhibits E. coli and S. aureus Biofilm Formation.},
journal = {Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A},
volume = {113},
number = {3},
pages = {e37879},
doi = {10.1002/jbm.a.37879},
pmid = {40033797},
issn = {1552-4965},
support = {//US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA)/ ; //Department of Defense Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)/ ; W81XWH-19-0050//Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP)/ ; 6R01AI074661//National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases/ ; TL1 TR002318/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; //the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences/ ; //Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program (CTSA)/ ; NNCI-1542101//National Science Foundation/ ; NNCI-2025489//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects ; *Escherichia coli/drug effects ; Humans ; *Bandages ; Peptides/pharmacology/chemistry ; Alginates/chemistry/pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Chitosan/chemistry/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {Microbial biofilms on wounds lead to longer hospital stays, mechanical debridement, and higher mortality. Amyloid fibrils stabilize the bacterial biofilm's extracellular matrix (ECM) and represent a potential anti-biofilm target. As previously reported, de novo α-sheet peptides inhibit amyloid fibrillization and reduce biofilm formation in several bacterial species. Alginate (ALG) and chitosan (CH) are widely used in wound dressings due to their adhesive and antimicrobial activity. Here, we describe a layer-by-layer (LbL) functionalized gauze with alternating layers of ALG and CH loaded with α-sheet peptides for controlled release and biofilm inhibition at a wound site. Material analysis indicated successful LbL polyelectrolyte deposition and peptide incorporation. The LbL gauze facilitated controlled peptide release for 72 h with an initial burst delivery and demonstrated good biocompatibility with no toxicity towards human fibroblasts. The LbL gauze was assessed against Escherichia coli biofilms and reduced colony forming units (CFUs) of adherent bacteria by 81% and 96% as compared to the plain gauze for non-antibiotic and antibiotic (+gentamicin) conditions, respectively. A similar reduction in biofilm formation and increase in antibiotic susceptibility was observed for tests with Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin. Thus, LbL gauze with incorporated α-sheet peptides demonstrated anti-biofilm properties for both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and presents an alternative wound dressing for the prevention of biofilm-associated infections.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
*Escherichia coli/drug effects
Humans
*Bandages
Peptides/pharmacology/chemistry
Alginates/chemistry/pharmacology
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Chitosan/chemistry/pharmacology

@article {pmid40033365,
year = {2025},
author = {Stephen, AS and Chala, V and Nicolas, CS and Jasmin, P and Allaker, RP},
title = {Antimicrobial activity of ear cleanser products against biofilm and planktonic phases of Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. isolated from canine skin and ear infections.},
journal = {BMC veterinary research},
volume = {21},
number = {1},
pages = {137},
pmid = {40033365},
issn = {1746-6148},
mesh = {Animals ; *Biofilms/drug effects ; Dogs ; *Staphylococcus/drug effects ; *Dog Diseases/microbiology/drug therapy ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/physiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Pseudomonas Infections/veterinary/microbiology/drug therapy ; Pseudomonas/drug effects/isolation & purification ; Otitis Externa/veterinary/microbiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp., including multidrug resistant staphylococci are frequent isolates from canine otitis externa and atopic dermatitis. The ability of these bacteria to form biofilms significantly contributes to the chronic nature of otitis. To manage microbial overgrowth, ear cleanser products are commonly used. It is important therefore, to measure their antibiofilm effects. In this study, six ear cleansers (Epiotic[Ⓡ] SIS, Epiotic[Ⓡ] Advanced, Cleanaural[Ⓡ], Otifree[Ⓡ], Peptivet[Ⓡ] and Sonotix[Ⓡ]) were evaluated against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Antibiofilm activity was measured using a colorimetric assay that detects viable cells through the reduction of thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT). Additionally, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Epiotic SIS and Epiotic Advanced were determined using a broth micro-dilution assay to assess their ability to inhibit bacteria in the planktonic state.

RESULTS: Epiotic (SIS and Advanced), Cleanaural and Peptivet showed high antibiofilm activity, with Otifree and Sonotix showing moderate to low antibiofilm activity. Notably, Otifree was significantly less effective at inhibiting methicillin-resistant S. aureus compared to methicillin-sensitive strains. P. aeruginosa biofilms were less effectively disrupted by some ear cleansers, and the MIC results indicated that less diluted solutions were required to inhibit this isolate compared to the staphylococcal species. Differences in the antibacterial effects between Epiotic SIS and Epiotic Advanced solutions could also be detected from the MIC assays suggesting differences in formulations can affect antimicrobial efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS: Commonly used canine ear cleanser products showed variable activity against multidrug resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus spp. and P. aeruginosa isolates in both biofilm and planktonic phases. The observed differences between bacterial strains and cleanser formulations highlight the importance of selecting appropriate products for targeted microbial control, which can lead to more effective management of chronic otitis externa and atopic dermatitis in dogs.},
}

Animals
*Biofilms/drug effects
Dogs
*Staphylococcus/drug effects
*Dog Diseases/microbiology/drug therapy
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/physiology
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Pseudomonas Infections/veterinary/microbiology/drug therapy
Pseudomonas/drug effects/isolation & purification
Otitis Externa/veterinary/microbiology

@article {pmid40032222,
year = {2025},
author = {Higgins, A and Wood, PJ and Mathers, KL},
title = {Microfibre ingestion by the Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) is dependent on fibre type and biofilm development.},
journal = {Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {125962},
doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2025.125962},
pmid = {40032222},
issn = {1873-6424},
abstract = {Fibrous microplastics represent an anthropogenic pollutant affecting aquatic systems globally. However, fibres formed from natural materials (e.g., cotton or wool) have only recently been recognised as potentially posing similar ecological threats as their synthetic counterparts. In this study we employed a laboratory-based aquarium experiment to examine the ingestion of preselected anthropogenic (polyester - microplastic) and 'natural' (cotton) microfibres by the Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea). We considered how the ingestion, retention, and rejection of preselected microfibres (specific, distinctive colours), differed associated with fibre type (cotton vs polyester), biofilm development (control - no biofilm / uncultured, 1-week culturing and 4-week culturing) and time (1-48 hours). We found that the ingestion of microfibres was complex, dependent on the interaction of culturing and fibre type. Greater retention of synthetic microfibres was recorded compared to 'natural' microfibres as the duration of culturing increased. We also observed that ingestion of microfibres was immediate but that microfibres were rejected and visually observed in pseudofaeces. Our results suggest that the time microfibres spend within the environment, allowing biofilm to develop on their surface, influences the ingestion of microfibres and we call for further studies to consider this in the future.},
}

@article {pmid40032003,
year = {2025},
author = {Liao, C and Hu, J and Mao, F and Li, Q and Li, H and Yu, C and Jia, Y and Ding, K},
title = {Extracellular TatD from Listeria monocytogenes displays DNase activity and contributes to biofilm dispersion.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107445},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107445},
pmid = {40032003},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {TatD is evolutionarily conserved in a variety of organisms and has been implicated in DNA repair, apoptosis, and the disruption of extracellular traps. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of TatD on L. monocytogenes biofilms. In our previous study, the deletion of the TatD gene from L. monocytogenes (named LmTatD) increased biofilm formation. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we present a detailed analysis of the structural characteristics of TatD. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the amino acid residues DPGEGDQHEDP are fully conserved. LmTatD belongs to the Class II TatD family (TATDN3) and contains a signal peptide. Recombinant LmTatD exhibited DNase activity regardless of the DNA substrate. Mutagenesis experiments confirmed the importance of glutamic acid, histidine, and aspartic acid residues in enzymatic activity. Biofilm formation was evaluated via a crystal violet assay, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. rLmTatD impaired biofilm formation and reduced eDNA levels without disrupting the integrity of the bacteria within biofilms. Moreover, deficiency of LmTatD led to a significant decrease in the DNase activity of the extracellular proteins from L. monocytogenes, whereas there was an increase in biofilm formation and eDNA production during the dispersion stage. However, no significant change in the total number of biofilm or planktonic bacteria was observed at any of the time points. Additionally, the mRNA level of LmTatD in the biofilm formed by the wild-type strain at the dispersion stage was greater than that at the attachment and maturation stages. The number of planktonic bacteria for the wild-type strain at the dispersion stage was significantly greater than that for the ΔLmTatD mutant. Collectively, these data suggest that LmTatD exhibits extracellular DNase activity and regulates L. monocytogenes biofilm dispersion.},
}

@article {pmid40032001,
year = {2025},
author = {Van Nederveen, V and Johnson, YS and Ortega, E and Soc, A and Smith, MA and Melton-Celsa, AR},
title = {Role of aggregative adherence fimbriae from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli isolates in biofilm and colonization.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107444},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107444},
pmid = {40032001},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) are a diverse group of bacteria that cause diarrhea worldwide. EAEC significantly affect travelers to endemic regions, including military personnel, and children in developing countries where EAEC infection is associated with childhood failure-to-thrive. EAEC creates thick biofilms on the intestinal mucosa, a process that is thought to contribute to the development of both diarrhea and childhood failure-to-thrive. Typical EAEC strains encode and produce just one aggregative adherence fimbriae (AAF) out of the five different AAF types. The AAF are required for aggregative adherence to epithelial cells in vitro, but the degree of importance of each of the AAF types in both biofilm formation and pathogenesis is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of the fimbriae in EAEC biofilms by deleting the major fimbrial subunit gene for the AAF from each of the five AAF categories and observing the impact on biofilm staining from recent EAEC clinical isolates. We found that biofilm was significantly reduced in all strains when the AAF gene was deleted, and that the defect could be overcome by complementation. In this work we also describe a modified murine EAEC model appropriate for colonization studies. In an antibiotic-treated mouse colonization model, some AAF mutant strains were attenuated for colonization, including AAF/II, AAF/IV, and AAF/V isolates. We did not observe complementation of the attenuated colonization phenotype in the mouse model. However, since we found a colonization defect for several EAEC mutant strains of different AAF types, a link between the fimbriae and colonization in the mice is supported. Taken together, our results show that the AAF are required for biofilm formation, and that some AAF contribute to colonization in a mouse model.},
}

@article {pmid40031973,
year = {2025},
author = {Xie, M and Yang, M and Li, X and DU, Y},
title = {[Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound combined with nystatin treatment synergistically inhibits vaginal Candida albicans biofilm infection in rabbits].},
journal = {Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University},
volume = {45},
number = {2},
pages = {296-303},
doi = {10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2025.02.10},
pmid = {40031973},
issn = {1673-4254},
mesh = {Animals ; Female ; Rabbits ; *Biofilms/drug effects ; *Nystatin/pharmacology ; *Candida albicans/drug effects ; *Antifungal Agents/pharmacology ; *Ultrasonic Waves ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Vagina/microbiology ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/therapy/microbiology ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) combined with nystatin for treatment of vaginal Candida albicans biofilm infection.

METHODS: In vitro cultured Candida albicans biofilm were treated with LIPUS, nystatin, or both, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of nystatin was determined. Crystal violet staining, confocal laser microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy were used to quantify the biofilm and observe the activity and morphological changes of the biofilms; DCFH-DA was used to detect the changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Twenty female New Zealand White rabbits with vaginal inoculation of Candida albicans biofilm were randomized into 4 groups for treatment with normal saline, LIPUS, nystatin, or both LIPUS and nystatin. The changes in vulvar symptoms of the rabbits were observed, and the histopathological and ultrastructural changes of the vagina before and after treatment were observed using HE staining and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTS: In the combined treatment group, the MIC50 and MIC80 of nystatin in Candida albicans biofilms were both reduced by 50% compared with those in nystatin group, and the biofilm clearance rate increased by 26% and 68% compared with nystatin and LIPUS groups, respectively. Compared with nystatin and LIPUS treatment alone, the combined treatment produced stronger effects for inhibiting biofilm activity, causing structural disruption and promoting ROS production. In the rabbit models, the combined treatment more effectively improved vulvar symptoms and inflammatory infiltration, reduced residual vaginal hyphae/strains, and improved ultrastructure of the vaginal epithelium than LIPUS and nystatin treatment alone.

CONCLUSIONS: LIPUS combined with nystatin produces a significant synergistic antifungal effect against Candida albicans biofilm both in vitro and in vivo.},
}

Animals
Female
Rabbits
*Biofilms/drug effects
*Nystatin/pharmacology
*Candida albicans/drug effects
*Antifungal Agents/pharmacology
*Ultrasonic Waves
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Vagina/microbiology
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/therapy/microbiology

@article {pmid40030140,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, Z and Yan, Q and Song, M and Aimaier, X and Liu, X and Zhang, B and Han, Z and Liu, Y and Dan, Y and Huang, J and Hu, X and Wen, J and Li, H},
title = {Bacillus licheniformis Extracellular Polymeric Substances Conditioning Layer Mediates the Bacterial Adhesion Behaviors toward Controlled Biofilm Formation.},
journal = {Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c04292},
pmid = {40030140},
issn = {1520-5827},
abstract = {In aquatic environments, conditioning layers play a crucial role in modulating the adhesion and aggregation of planktonic bacteria, ultimately facilitating biofilm formation and the irreversible onset of biofouling. This study reports the construction of a simplified conditioning layer using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by Bacillus licheniformis and its influence on the adherence behaviors of bacteria. The results reveal that the EPS conditioning layer remarkably inhibits the Staphylococcus aureus adherence yet promotes the aggregation of Escherichia coli. The surface of the EPS conditioning layer shows a flat morphology with the highest height of approximately 12.9 nm. The conditioning layer alters the physicochemical properties of the substrate materials on their surfaces, with water contact angles changing from 61.23° to 8.76° and the zeta potential changing from -1.0 to -25.0 mV. Despite these changes, the overall effect of the EPS conditioning layer on bacterial adhesion was found to be minimal. Further investigation on the bacterial adhesion and aggregation behaviors shows that two main components of EPS, namely, polysaccharides and bacitracin, affect the bacterial adhesion and aggregation behaviors. Bacitracin plays a predominant role in inhibiting the Staphylococcus aureus attachment, and the polysaccharides promote Escherichia coli aggregation. These findings would give inspiring insight into developing environmentally friendly efficient biological measures for combating the worldwide persisting biofouling.},
}

@article {pmid40029802,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhou, Y and Zhou, X and Zhang, J and Zhao, Y and Ye, Z and Xu, F and Li, F},
title = {Confined Mechanical Microenvironment Regulated Antibiotic Resistance in 3D Biofilm Aggregates Probed by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy.},
journal = {Analytical chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.4c05503},
pmid = {40029802},
issn = {1520-6882},
abstract = {Antibiotic resistance is a significant global concern. Clinical trials have highlighted discrepancies in antibiotic doses between in vivo three-dimensional (3D) biofilms and in vitro two-dimensional biofilm models. A critical factor often overlooked is the confined mechanical microenvironment (e.g., host extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness) surrounding the in vivo biofilms, leading to inaccurate diagnosis and increased antibiotic resistance. Herein, we designed a 3D agarose-gel-based in vitro biofilm model and applied scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to monitor the metabolic dynamics in situ, including cellular respiration and reactive oxygen species of an embedded single biofilm aggregate. We discovered distinct respiration patterns for biofilm aggregates embedded in stiff and soft gels at the single aggregate level, which was corroborated by transcriptional analysis. Our findings indicate that mechanical cues mediate antibiotic tolerance by reducing metabolic activity and increasing the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Additionally, we identified that metabolite glycine enhances the tricarboxylic acid cycle, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant to improve antibiotic efficacy. Knocking out the upregulated EPS-related gene (ΔyjbE) results in significantly reduced survival rates of ΔyjbE mutants in stiff agarose gels compared to the wild type, thereby enhancing antibiotic efficacy. Overall, our study demonstrates the versatility of the SECM-based strategy for investigating both metabolic dynamics and antibiotic resistance in biofilms and uncovers the role of ECM stiffness in mediating antibiotic resistance in 3D biofilms, paving the way for improved clinical strategies in antibiotic treatment.},
}

@article {pmid40029176,
year = {2025},
author = {Xiong, K and Long, L and Xing, J and Luo, L and Zhou, C and Wang, X and Shao, S},
title = {Biofilm-Induced Critical Flux in Dead-End Ultrafiltration Processes: Phenomenon, Mechanism, and Economic and Environmental Benefits.},
journal = {Environmental science & technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.est.4c11760},
pmid = {40029176},
issn = {1520-5851},
abstract = {The concept of critical flux, introduced by R.W. Field, defines the flux below which the filtration resistance remains constant over time. Notably, this concept, originally for cross-flow filtration, faces challenges in dead-end filtration (the dominant mode used in drinking water ultrafiltration (UF)). Herein, leveraged by regulated membrane biofilms, we proposed a novel biofilm-induced critical flux specific to dead-end filtration. Below this critical flux, the membrane biofilm could act like a cross-flow to maintain mass balances by the biodegradation of foulants, thereby preventing a continuous increase in filtration resistance. Additionally, we demonstrated an optimized strategy to improve the critical flux─backwashing without air scouring, which doubled the critical flux from 6 to 12 L·m[-2]·h[-1]. A life cycle analysis revealed that operating at the biofilm-induced critical flux can reduce energy consumption and minimize membrane cleaning, thereby effectively lowering the overall operating costs (52%) and carbon emissions (61%) compared to conventional UF. Sensitivity analysis also indicated that extending membrane life and reducing membrane costs were crucial for lowering overall operating costs, while minimizing fossil energy usage was decisive for reducing carbon emissions. Overall, our study demonstrates that operating at a biofilm-induced critical flux offers a low-maintenance, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable strategy for drinking water UF.},
}

@article {pmid40029048,
year = {2025},
author = {Sales, LS and Silvestre, ALP and Chorilli, M and Meneguin, AB and Barud, HDS and Brighenti, FL},
title = {Evaluation of morin and carvacrol loaded-nanoparticles on oral polymicrobial biofilm control.},
journal = {Biofouling},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-17},
doi = {10.1080/08927014.2025.2471975},
pmid = {40029048},
issn = {1029-2454},
abstract = {This study aimed to develop and characterize sodium alginate (SA)/chitosan (CS) based nanoparticles (NPs), with or without morin or carvacrol, and to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against polymicrobial oral biofilms. Three different NPs (0.15:1; 0.3:1; 0.5:1 CS:SA) whether or not containing morin or carvacrol were developed and characterized by particle size, zeta potential, scanning electron microscope (SEM), encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release. NPs antibiofilm and antimicrobial activity were evaluated using polymicrobial oral biofilms by means of quantifying the biomass, assessment of viable microorganisms (CFU/mL), and acidogenicity of the biofilm by pH readings. The NPs presented nanometric size (<500 nm), with spherical shape and smooth surface. Encapsulation efficiency of the samples containing morin ranged from 46.17 to 55.15% and for carvacrol from 55.30 to 90.15%. Total release of carvacrol and morin occurred within 15 min. The NPs significantly reduced biofilm biomass and microbial viability compared to the control. However, did not significantly increase the biofilm pH. The NPs were effectively synthesized and showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect against oral biofilm and the addition of natural substances morin or carvacrol increased this effect. Combination of chitosan and sodium alginate and addition of morin or carvacrol in NPs can be a promising strategy for oral use, fighting biofilm and consequently biofilm dependent diseases.},
}

@article {pmid40028113,
year = {2025},
author = {Marcolino, MC and Guimarães, ML and Fontes, ML and Resende, FA and Barud, HDS and Azevedo, AS and Azevedo, NF and de Oliveira, HP},
title = {Investigating Polypyrrole/Silver-Based Composite for Biofilm Prevention on Silicone Surfaces for Urinary Catheter Applications.},
journal = {ACS omega},
volume = {10},
number = {7},
pages = {7058-7068},
pmid = {40028113},
issn = {2470-1343},
abstract = {Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common healthcare-related infections caused by biofilm formation. This research investigated the efficacy of polypyrrole (PPy), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and their combination (PPy/AgNPs) as water-soluble additives applied in cleaning procedures for preventing the formation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (single and dual-species biofilms) on silicone. Ultraviolet-visible absorption assays, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, FTIR analysis, and dynamic light scattering experiments were conducted to evaluate the structure and physicochemical response of the antibiofilm compounds, with the biofilm prevention concentrations assessed by plate counting, flow cytometry, and SEM images. The composites proved to be dose-dependent agents preventing single- and dual-species biofilms from forming under simulated CAUTI conditions. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays indicated that the materials are non-cytotoxic, supporting their suitability for biomedical applications. These findings pave the way for developing more effective, biocompatible catheter cleaning procedures, ultimately improving patient outcomes and addressing biofilms-related infections in clinical settings.},
}

@article {pmid40028012,
year = {2025},
author = {Čukajne, T and Štravs, P and Sahin, O and Zhang, Q and Berlec, A and Klančnik, A},
title = {Campylobacter jejuni Biofilm Assessment by NanoLuc Luciferase Assay.},
journal = {Bio-protocol},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {e5192},
pmid = {40028012},
issn = {2331-8325},
abstract = {Campylobacter jejuni, a widespread pathogen found in birds and mammals, poses a significant risk for zoonosis worldwide despite its susceptibility to environmental and food-processing stressors. One of its main survival mechanisms is the formation of biofilms that can withstand various food-processing stressors, which is why efficient methods for assessing biofilms are crucial. Existing methods, including the classical culture-based plate counting method, biomass-staining methods (e.g., crystal violet and safranin), DNA-staining methods, those that use metabolic substrates to detect live bacteria (e.g., tetrazolium salts and resazurin), immunofluorescence with flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy, and PCR-based methods for quantification of bacterial DNA, are diverse but often lack specificity, sensitivity, and suitability. In response to these limitations, we propose an innovative approach using NanoLuc as a reporter protein. The established protocol involves growing biofilms in microtiter plates, washing unattached cells, adding Nano-Glo luciferase substrate, and measuring bioluminescence. The bacterial concentrations in the biofilms are calculated by linear regression based on the calibration curve generated with known cell concentrations. The NanoLuc protein offers a number of advantages, such as its small size, temperature stability, and highly efficient bioluminescence, enabling rapid, non-invasive, and comprehensive assessment of biofilms together with quantification of a wide range of cell states. Although this method is limited to laboratory use due to the involvement of genetically modified organisms, it provides valuable insights into C. jejuni biofilm dynamics that could indirectly help in the development of improved food safety measures. Key features • Quantification of C. jejuni using NanoLuc luciferase. • The assay is linear in the range of 1.9 × 10[7] to 1.5 × 10[8] CFU/mL. • Following biofilm growth, less than 1 h is required for detection. • The assay requires genetically modified bacterial strains.},
}

@article {pmid40026327,
year = {2024},
author = {Visvalingam, J and Zhang, P and Yang, X},
title = {Inter- and intra-species interactions between meat plant environmental bacteria and a non-biofilm-forming Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain in co-culture biofilms.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1517732},
pmid = {40026327},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {This study evaluated the impact of meat-processing environmental bacteria (MPB) on biofilm formation by Escherichia coli O157:H7 in dual-species cultures. Biofilm development by 50 MPB and E. coli O157:H7 was assessed using crystal violet staining. Four MPB and E. coli O157:H7 combinations were evaluated further for viable cell numbers. A chlorinated alkaline agent and a quaternary ammonium-based agent were evaluated for their ability to remove biofilms. The E. coli O157:H7 strain was a non-biofilm former. In dual-species biofilms, if the companion MPB did not produce detectable biofilm, then the pairing did not produce measurable biofilms either. The interaction effect between MPB and E. coli O157:H7 was predominantly no-effect (neutral). Among the four MPB isolates tested by viable cell enumeration method, only generic E. coli genotype 136 reduced viable numbers of E. coli O157:H7 in dual-strain biofilm. Sequential treatment with cleaning and sanitizing treatment provided a better removal of biofilm than a single-agent treatment.},
}

@article {pmid40025994,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, S and Ji, Y and Xue, X and Yang, Y and Huang, Y and Yang, S and Chen, X},
title = {Hierarchical biofilm models using sodium alginate beads containing bacteria embedded in a cellulose-chitosan hydrogel matrix.},
journal = {Journal of materials chemistry. B},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1039/d4tb02015d},
pmid = {40025994},
issn = {2050-7518},
abstract = {In biofilm studies, a stable model is crucial for exploring infection mechanisms, antibiotic resistance, and evaluating materials' antibiofilm performance. Cultured biofilms often face challenges, such as slow maturation or rapid bacteria dispersion. Therefore, developing a stable, mature-stage biofilm model is critical for effective biofilm research. In this study, we report a beads-in-hydrogel biofilm model, in which sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel beads that contain bacteria are embedded within a chitosan-cellulose hydrogel film to simulate natural bacterial biofilms. This model can retain bacteria for a relatively long period of time, preventing their dispersion to the surrounding areas while keeping them viable. The reliability of the model was validated by measuring functional molecules, including extracellular DNA and biofilm-forming related proteins. Overall, this study presents a stable 3D beads-in-hydrogel biofilm model that effectively replicates natural biofilms, providing a reliable platform for exploring infection mechanisms, antibiotic resistance, and evaluating antibiofilm strategies.},
}

@article {pmid40025436,
year = {2025},
author = {Celebi, O and Baser, S and Guler, MC and Taghizadehghalehjoughi, A and Rakici, E and Aydin, E and Celebi, D},
title = {Molecular characterization of resistance and biofilm genes of ESKAPE pathogens isolated from clinical samples: examination of the effect of boric acid on biofilm ability by cell culture method.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {106},
pmid = {40025436},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {Project No. TKP-2022-10754//Ataturk University Scientific Research Coordination Office/ ; Project No. TKP-2022-10754//Ataturk University Scientific Research Coordination Office/ ; Project No. TKP-2022-10754//Ataturk University Scientific Research Coordination Office/ ; Project No. TKP-2022-10754//Ataturk University Scientific Research Coordination Office/ ; Project No. TKP-2022-10754//Ataturk University Scientific Research Coordination Office/ ; Project No. TKP-2022-10754//Ataturk University Scientific Research Coordination Office/ ; Project No. TKP-2022-10754//Ataturk University Scientific Research Coordination Office/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Boric Acids/pharmacology ; Humans ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/genetics/physiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics ; Intensive Care Units ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Virulence Factors/genetics ; Genes, Bacterial/genetics ; Enterococcus/drug effects/genetics/isolation & purification ; Bacteria/drug effects/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Cell Culture Techniques ; },
abstract = {Biofilm formation ranks first among the resistance and virulence factors crucial in forming ESKAPE pathogens. Once biofilm is formed, treating the infection with existing drugs is often futile. Therefore, in this study, resistant ESKAPE pathogens were isolated from intensive care units and sent to Atatürk University Yakutiye Research Hospital Microbiology Laboratory. This study investigated the biofilm formation and molecular characterization of resistant ESKAPE pathogens isolated from intensive care units. The bacteria's biofilm formation abilities, genes responsible for biofilm formation, and resistance characteristics were identified. The effect of boric acid (BA) on resistance and bacterial genes was evaluated by a bacterial infection cell culture model. The highest biofilm formation was observed in Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Enterococcus spp. isolates showed the vanA gene in 14.6% and the vanC gene in 61% of the samples. Among Staphylococcus spp. isolates, 48.3% were MSSA, 34.5% were MRCNS, and 17.2% were MRSA. The KPC gene was detected in 50%, the OXA-48 gene in 40%, and the NDM gene in 15% of the isolates. In P. aeruginosa, the LasI and LasR quorum sensing system genes were found in 38.5% and 30.8% of the isolates, respectively. In E. coli isolates, OXA-48 was present in 35%, KPC in 31.7%, and TEM in 12.5%. BA demonstrated significant activity against ESKAPE pathogens. The combined antimicrobial activity of boron compounds showed a decrease in the expression level of the resistance gene. It will be promising for preventing hospital-associated infections.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Boric Acids/pharmacology
Humans
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/genetics/physiology
Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
Intensive Care Units
Bacterial Proteins/genetics
Virulence Factors/genetics
Genes, Bacterial/genetics
Enterococcus/drug effects/genetics/isolation & purification
Bacteria/drug effects/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Cell Culture Techniques

@article {pmid40025431,
year = {2025},
author = {Kakavan, M and Gholami, M and Ahanjan, M and Ebrahimzadeh, MA and Salehian, M and Roozbahani, F and Goli, HR},
title = {Expression of bap gene in multidrug-resistant and biofilm-producing Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {108},
pmid = {40025431},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {1431//Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences/ ; },
mesh = {*Acinetobacter baumannii/genetics/drug effects/isolation & purification/physiology ; *Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics ; Humans ; *Acinetobacter Infections/microbiology ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant biofilm-producer and antibiotic-resistant pathogen associated with various infections caused in humans. This study aimed to investigate the expression level of the bap gene in multidrug-resistant and biofilm-producer clinical isolates of A. baumannii.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One Hundred A. baumannii clinical isolates were collected from hospitalized patients and identified by phenotypic and genotypic tests. The antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates was determined by the disk agar diffusion method. The ability of biofilm production was investigated using the microtiter plate test. This study employed the Real-time PCR method to evaluate the expression level of the bap gene.

RESULTS: Ninety nine percent A. baumannii isolates were MDR. However, the highest resistance rate was observed against ciprofloxacin (100%), while ceftazidime was the most effective drug. Also, 49%, 49%, and 2% of the isolates were strong, moderate, and weak biofilm-producing, respectively. However, we detected no strain without the ability to produce biofilm. Most strong and moderate biofilm-former isolates were non-susceptible to all tested antibiotics. An increased expression level of the bap gene was detected in 99% of the isolates. The results of the present study suggest a correlation between the bap gene expression level and the development of multidrug resistance and biofilm formation in A. baumannii isolates.

CONCLUSION: This research emphasizes the importance of biofilm formation in the emergence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains in healthcare settings, making them progressively difficult to control. The bap gene may be a considerable target for the development of novel anti-A. baumannii treatment option and eradication of the biofilm formation by this organism.},
}

*Acinetobacter baumannii/genetics/drug effects/isolation & purification/physiology
*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics
Humans
*Acinetobacter Infections/microbiology
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid40025202,
year = {2025},
author = {Suchithra, KV and Hameed, A and Rekha, PD and Stothard, P and Arun, AB},
title = {A novel Kayvirus species phage RuSa1 removes biofilm and lyses multiple clinical strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {7358},
pmid = {40025202},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {YU/seed grant/127-2022//Yenepoya University/ ; },
mesh = {*Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/virology/genetics/physiology ; *Biofilms/growth & development ; *Staphylococcus Phages/genetics/isolation & purification/physiology ; *Phylogeny ; Genome, Viral ; Animals ; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology/veterinary ; Deer/virology/microbiology ; India ; Humans ; },
abstract = {The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is one of the global healthcare concerns. Here, we report the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of a novel multi-host Staphylococcus phage RuSa1, isolated from wastewater samples derived from a spotted sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) enclosure located at Mangalore, India. Clinical MRSA strains (n = 18) susceptible to RuSa1 were genetically and phenotypically diverse as determined by DNA fingerprinting and in vitro culture assays. RuSa1 displayed a latent period and burst size of 10 min and 50 PFU, respectively, and exhibited efficient biofilm removal activities against S. aureus ATCC BAA-44. The phage exhibited moderate UV stability (3 min) and high titre at 4-37 °C and pH 5‒9. RuSa1 possessed a linear double-stranded genomic DNA with a length of 140 kb. The genome contained 30.18% GC composition and shared 82.0‒94.9% sequence similarity with eleven authentic species of Kayvirus recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses based on VIRIDIC analysis. RuSa1 established distinct phyletic lineage in the maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis of DNA encoding structural proteins and lacked genes that confer lysogeny. Based on the genotypic, phylogenetic and phenotypic data, RuSa1 is proposed to be a lytic phage and a new species of Kayvirus with a potential therapeutic ability against staphylococcal infections.},
}

*Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/virology/genetics/physiology
*Biofilms/growth & development
*Staphylococcus Phages/genetics/isolation & purification/physiology
*Phylogeny
Genome, Viral
Animals
Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology/veterinary
Deer/virology/microbiology
India
Humans

@article {pmid40024356,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, H and Zhang, Q and Zuo, T and Wang, Z and Liao, J and Lu, Y},
title = {2-Chloromethyl Anthraquinone Inhibits Candida Albicans Biofilm Formation by Inhibiting the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 Pathway.},
journal = {Research in microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {104280},
doi = {10.1016/j.resmic.2025.104280},
pmid = {40024356},
issn = {1769-7123},
abstract = {Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen, and the formation of its biofilm makes it resistant to traditional antifungal therapy. Anthraquinones have universal antibacterial activity. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of 2-chloromethyl anthraquinone on C. albicans adhesion, mycelial morphology transformation, and biofilm formation. The results showed that 2-chloromethyl anthraquinone could inhibit C. albicans adhesion, mycelium formation, and biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner at 2 μg/mL. In addition, 2-chloromethyl anthraquinone significantly inhibited the expression of biofilm formation-related genes in C. albicans, including ALS1, CPH1, ECE1, HWP1, TEC1, BCR1, and UME6. In addition, Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 pathway-related genes (RAC1, CYR1, and TPK2) were also significantly down-regulated, indicating that the inhibitory effect of 2-chloromethyl anthraquinone on C. albicans biofilms may be related to the Ras1-cAMP-Efg1 signaling pathway. In summary, the results of this study confirmed the inhibitory mechanism of 2-chloromethyl anthraquinone on the virulence factors of C. albicans, which laid a theoretical foundation for its use as an anti-biofilm agent against C. albicans.},
}

@article {pmid40023989,
year = {2025},
author = {Wong, BC and Ling, FY and Ayub, Q and Tan, HS},
title = {Transposon mutagenesis identifies acid resistance and biofilm genes as Shigella sonnei virulence factors in Caenorhabditis elegans infection.},
journal = {Biochemical and biophysical research communications},
volume = {754},
number = {},
pages = {151546},
doi = {10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.151546},
pmid = {40023989},
issn = {1090-2104},
abstract = {Identifying essential genes in bacterial pathogens during infection can enhance knowledge and provide novel targets for antimicrobial agents' development. Currently, only Shigella flexneri essential genes during in vitro growth have been experimentally identified. This study used transposon insertion sequencing (TIS) to identify Shigella sonnei essential genes during Caenorhabditis elegans infection. 498 genes were predicted to be essential in S. sonnei during growth on nutrient-rich media. Some genes previously predicted to be essential in Shigella were found non-essential in S. sonnei, such as acetyl metabolism genes (aceEF, lpdA) and sulphate transport genes (cysA, cyst, cysW). Finally, 217 genes were predicted as S. sonnei virulence genes during infection, including acid resistance and biofilm formation genes which was not linked to S. sonnei virulence previously.},
}

@article {pmid40023759,
year = {2025},
author = {Kader, CB and de Smidt, O and Oosthuysen, J},
title = {Water Quality and Biofilm Formation in Dental Unit Waterline Systems in Mangaung, South Africa.},
journal = {International dental journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.identj.2024.12.025},
pmid = {40023759},
issn = {1875-595X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Biofilm formation in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) and the consequent microbial contamination of dental chair unit (DCU) water is a significant challenge. The South African government has no explicit requirements for water quality supplied to DCUs or for disinfection protocols for DUWLs.

AIM: To assess bacterial water quality and presence of biofilm-associated organisms in DUWLs of open and closed system DCUs.

METHODS: Standard water sampling was followed in accordance with the South African National Standard for drinking water (SANS 241:1) and used as reference for microbial water quality to measure heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) and total coliforms for possible water contamination. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella spp. are common opportunistic pathogens found in DUWL and were also assessed using selective media.

RESULTS: HPC exceeded the national standard of <10 × 10[3] CFU mL[-1] in water from both open and closed systems (1.48-6.94 × 10[4] CFU mL[-1] and 1.71 × 10[4] CFU mL[-1]). P. aeruginosa was detected in fast handpieces, reservoir bottles, and distiller bottles of closed system DCUs. Legionella spp. (22 CFU mL[-1]) were present in the output water from one fast handpiece of an open system DCU. Internal surfaces of taps, fast handpieces, distiller bottles and reservoir bottles also exhibited mean HPC counts which exceeded the national standard. Total coliforms were identified in the fast handpieces of open system DCUs (5.09 × 10[3] CFU 100 mL[-1]) and distiller bottles (6.23 × 10[3] CFU 100 mL[-1]) of closed systems. P. aeruginosa (3.64 × 10[4] CFU mL[-1]), was detected on the internal surfaces of the municipal tap supplying water to open system DCUs as well as, internal surfaces of reservoir bottles (5.9 × 10[1] CFU 100 mL[-1]) and fast handpieces (1.5×10[1] CFU 100 mL[-1]) of closed system DCUs.

CONCLUSION: Contamination levels of DUWL water and surfaces of open and closed system DCUs were high, highlighting the need for national regulations of DUWL quality and decontamination protocols in South Africa.},
}

@article {pmid40022849,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, MY and Li, S and Han, YL and Shi, YF and Wu, YY and Cheng, J and Wang, CY and Zhou, XY and Zhang, YX},
title = {De novo-designed amphiphilic α-helical peptide Z2 exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory efficacy in acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.},
journal = {Bioorganic chemistry},
volume = {157},
number = {},
pages = {108309},
doi = {10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.108309},
pmid = {40022849},
issn = {1090-2120},
abstract = {Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show considerable promise in combating bacterial infections due to their broad-spectrum efficacy, unique mechanisms of action, and resistance capabilities. In this study, we de novo designed a series of α-helical AMPs (Z1-Z6) with enhanced antimicrobial activity, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory effects. The design incorporated isoleucine with long alkyl side chains and carefully balanced the positive charge and hydrophobicity. Among the designed peptides, Z2 demonstrated remarkable properties. In vitro assays revealed a high therapeutic index, with effective inhibition of 10 pathogenic and drug-resistant bacterial strains by disrupting cell membranes and interacting with bacterial genomes. Z2 also significantly suppressed biofilm formation and reduced reactive oxygen species production in RAW264.7 cells, leading to a decrease in inflammatory cytokine expression, thus showing anti-inflammatory activity. In a mouse model of acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, Z2 significantly improved survival rates, efficiently cleared bacteria from the lungs, and alleviated lung damage. Overall, Z2's unique design endows it with excellent antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting its great potential as a novel antimicrobial agent for further development. Future research will focus on the studying the drug formulations, elucidating the mechanisms underlying Z2's anti-inflammatory effects and exploring its therapeutic potential in other infection models.},
}

@article {pmid40022417,
year = {2025},
author = {Yuan, L and Liu, Y and Mi, Z and Xiong, D and Zhou, W and Xu, Z and Yang, Z and Jiao, XA},
title = {Dual-species biofilm and other profiles altered by interactions between Salmonella Typhimurium and Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from meat.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {203},
number = {},
pages = {115914},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115914},
pmid = {40022417},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; *Pseudomonas fluorescens/physiology/genetics/metabolism ; *Salmonella typhimurium/growth & development/genetics/physiology ; *Meat/microbiology ; *Food Microbiology ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Salmonella Typhimurium is a significant foodborne pathogen that poses substantial health risks to humans. Pseudomonas fluorescens is a key bacterium responsible for meat deterioration through the production of spoilage-associated enzymes. Both species are widely presented in meat, and can form dense biofilms on slaughterhouse equipment surfaces, acting as persistent sources of bacterial contamination that compromise both safety and quality issues in the meat industry. However, how ecological interactions between S. Typhimurium and P. fluorescens affect the function and stability of mixed-species biofilms remain largely unexplored. The purpose of this work is to investigate the altered profiles of a mixed-species biofilm by meat-derived S. Typhimurium N25 and P. fluorescens PF2 through RNA-sequencing analysis in combined with phenotype validation, including the bacterial growth and antibiotic resistance of planktonic cells, biofilm-forming capacity, biofilm structures, and biofilm EPS production. The results demonstrated that the presence of S. Typhimurium inhibited the growth of P. fluorescens PF2 in its planktonic state, and reduced the biofilm cell count of P. fluorescens PF2 in mixed-species biofilm when compared to that in mono-species biofilm. Furthermore, the bacterial interaction led to decreased protein and carbohydrate contents in the biofilm matrix, and reductions in biofilm coverage, average thickness, and total biomass. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that 580 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly involved in eight downregulated pathways related to carbohydrate, amino acid, and organic acid salt metabolism. Additionally, 62 DEGs in S. Typhimurium N25 were significantly enriched in five upregulated pathways (bacterial chemotaxis, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, Salmonella infection, two-component system, and flagellar assembly). The results facilitate updated knowledge of the complex dynamics governing biofilms formation by S. Typhimurium and P. fluorescens, which provide a theoretical foundation for improved control strategies to ensure meat safety in the food industry.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
*Pseudomonas fluorescens/physiology/genetics/metabolism
*Salmonella typhimurium/growth & development/genetics/physiology
*Meat/microbiology
*Food Microbiology
Animals

@article {pmid40022384,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, Y and Fan, X and Zhu, X and Xiao, J and Mu, Y and Wang, W and Wang, C and Peng, M and Zhou, M},
title = {Effects of luxS gene on biofilm formation and fermentation property in Lactobacillus plantarum R.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {203},
number = {},
pages = {115862},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115862},
pmid = {40022384},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; *Lactobacillus plantarum/genetics/metabolism/physiology ; *Carbon-Sulfur Lyases/genetics/metabolism ; *Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Fermentation ; *Quorum Sensing/genetics ; *Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Food Microbiology ; Homoserine/analogs & derivatives/metabolism ; Lactones/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The biofilm formation of Lactobacilli is regulated by the LuxS/AI-2 quorum sensing (QS) system, but the mechanism of QS regulating the formation of Lactobacilli biofilm is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of producing biofilm in L. plantarum R and its effect on the quality of fermented pickles based on LuxS/AI-2 QS system. Compared with L. plantarum R, the AI-2 activity of L. plantarum RΔluxS was significantly reduced, but the biofilm, extracellular protein, and eDNA were significantly increased. Moreover, expression of oppA, livJ, livH and comD genes was up-regulated and luxS, peg.3090 and peg.3093 was down-regulated. Results showed that peg.3093 was most significantly down-regulated in L. plantarum RΔluxS, and extremely significant negatively correlated with biofilm. The biofilm, eDNA, and extracellular protein of L. plantarum RΔpeg.3093 was higher than those of L. plantarum R. Moreover, metabolomics showed that deletion of luxS gene could decrease AI-2 level, promote anthocyanin and flavonol biosynthesis, lead to improving the antioxidant properties and quality of pickles. Thus, luxS gene knockout may increase biofilm by down-regulating the expression of peg.3093 to increase extracellular protein and eDNA. This study provides a theoretical basis for the enhancement of Lactobacillus biofilm and its application.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
*Lactobacillus plantarum/genetics/metabolism/physiology
*Carbon-Sulfur Lyases/genetics/metabolism
*Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
*Fermentation
*Quorum Sensing/genetics
*Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Food Microbiology
Homoserine/analogs & derivatives/metabolism
Lactones/metabolism

@article {pmid40022258,
year = {2025},
author = {Shang, L and Roffel, S and Slomka, V and D'Agostino, EM and Metris, A and Buijs, MJ and Brandt, BW and Deng, D and Gibbs, S and Krom, BP},
title = {An in vitro model demonstrating homeostatic interactions between reconstructed human gingiva and a saliva-derived multispecies biofilm.},
journal = {Microbiome},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {58},
pmid = {40022258},
issn = {2049-2618},
mesh = {Humans ; *Biofilms/growth & development ; *Saliva/microbiology ; *Gingiva/microbiology ; *Coculture Techniques ; *Keratinocytes/microbiology/metabolism ; Bacteria/metabolism/classification/genetics ; Homeostasis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Fibroblasts/microbiology ; Microbiota ; Cytokines/metabolism ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: In the oral cavity, host-microbe interactions (HMI) continuously occur and greatly impact oral health. In contrast to the well-studied disease-associated HMI during, for example, periodontitis, HMI that are essential in maintaining oral health have been rarely investigated, especially in a human-relevant context. The aim of this study was to extensively characterize homeostatic HMI between saliva-derived biofilms and a reconstructed human gingiva (RHG). RHG was reconstructed following the structure of native gingiva, composed of a multilayered epithelium formed by keratinocytes and a fibroblast-populated compartment. To mimic the oral environment, RHG were inoculated with pooled human saliva resuspended in different saliva substitute media and incubated for 2 or 4 days. The co-cultured biofilms were retrieved and characterized by viable bacterial counting and compositional profiling (16S rRNA gene sequencing). RHG was investigated for metabolic activity (MTT assay), tissue histology (hematoxylin and eosin staining), epithelial proliferation (Ki67 staining), antimicrobial peptide expression, and cytokine secretion.

RESULTS: Viable biofilms were detected up to day 4 of co-culturing. Bacterial counts indicated biofilm growth from the inoculation to day 2 and maintained thereafter at a similar level until day 4. All biofilms shared similar composition throughout 4 days, independent of co-culture time and different saliva substitute media used during inoculation. Biofilms were diverse with Streptococcus, Haemophilus, and Neisseria being the dominating genera. While supporting biofilm development, RHG displayed no significant changes in metabolic activity, tissue histology, or epithelial proliferation. However, in the presence of biofilms, the antimicrobial peptides elafin and human β-defensin-2 were upregulated, and the secretion of cytokines IL-6, CXCL1, CXCL8, CCL5, and CCL20 increased.

CONCLUSION: This model mimicked homeostatic HMI where a healthy gingiva supported a viable, diverse, and stable microbial community, incorporating bacterial genera found on native gingiva. The gingiva model maintained its tissue integrity and exerted protective responses in the presence of biofilms over time. This study adds to the evidence that shows the important role of the host in maintaining homeostatic HMI that are essential for oral health. Video Abstract.},
}

Humans
*Biofilms/growth & development
*Saliva/microbiology
*Gingiva/microbiology
*Coculture Techniques
*Keratinocytes/microbiology/metabolism
Bacteria/metabolism/classification/genetics
Homeostasis
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Fibroblasts/microbiology
Microbiota
Cytokines/metabolism

@article {pmid40021740,
year = {2025},
author = {Kim, Y and Kang, SM and Jo, KN and Roh, Y},
title = {Carbonate mineral precipitation induced by microorganisms enriched from the cave water and biofilm in a lime-decorated lava tube.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {7182},
pmid = {40021740},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {2022R1C1C2009540//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; 2022R1A2C1005449//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; *Caves/microbiology ; *Calcium Compounds/chemistry ; *Oxides/chemistry ; *Calcium Carbonate/chemistry ; *Chemical Precipitation ; Bacteria ; Carbonates/chemistry ; Minerals/chemistry ; Magnesium/chemistry ; Strontium/chemistry ; Republic of Korea ; },
abstract = {Cave microorganisms associated with calcareous speleothems have been reported to facilitate calcium carbonate precipitation through crystal nucleation and mineral growth. In this study, we used carbonate-forming microorganisms enriched from cave water droplets and stalactite biofilm samples to induce precipitation of Mg[2+] or Sr[2+]-coprecipitated carbonate minerals and explored their mineralogical properties. The samples for these analyses were collected from Yongcheon Cave, a lime-decorated lava tube located on Jeju Island in South Korea. They included five soil and sediment samples from outside the cave, seven drip water samples from inside the cave, and nine biofilm samples swiped using sterilized cotton swabs from inside the cave. The microorganisms enriched from the drip water samples comprised bacterial genera, including Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Acinetobacter, and Morganella. which are known to contribute to carbonate formation. In contrast, the microorganisms enriched from the biofilms were dominated by Pseudomonas. When only Ca[2+] was present in the growth medium (Ca:Sr = 3:0), these microorganisms precipitated calcite and vaterite. Conversely, when Ca[2+] and Sr[2+] were present at varying ratios (Ca:Sr = 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2), calcian-strontianite was precipitated. Furthermore, when only Sr[2+] was present (Ca:Sr = 0:3), strontianite was formed. Adding Ca[2+] and Mg[2+] at varying ratios (Ca:Mg = 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) led to the precipitation of magnesian-calcite and monohydrocalcite. When only Mg[2+] was added to the medium (Ca:Mg = 0:3), nesquehonite and struvite precipitated. These findings suggest that microorganisms enriched from the lava tube cave induce calcium carbonate precipitation through ureolysis and that Sr/Cr and Mg/Ca ratios influence the type of precipitated carbonate or phosphate minerals.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
*Caves/microbiology
*Calcium Compounds/chemistry
*Oxides/chemistry
*Calcium Carbonate/chemistry
*Chemical Precipitation
Bacteria
Carbonates/chemistry
Minerals/chemistry
Magnesium/chemistry
Strontium/chemistry
Republic of Korea

@article {pmid40020861,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, Y and Lu, X and Yu, S and Gu, H and Fei, X and Pan, T and Li, L and Ding, Y and Ni, M and Pan, Y},
title = {Study on the mechanisms of efficient phosphorus recovery by a pilot-scale biofilm sequencing batch reactor under low carbon demand.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {121204},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2025.121204},
pmid = {40020861},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {To study the mechanism of a novel pilot-scale biofilm sequencing batch reactor (PS-BSBR) for efficient phosphorus recovery under low carbon demand. The phosphate uptake/release performance and carbon source utilization efficiency of PS-BSBR and a typical enhanced biological phosphate removal (EBPR) -A[2]O process were compared, and the detection methods of different phosphorus forms were improved. The results showed that phosphate uptake/release content of PS-BSBR were 3.07 times and 4.47 times of that of A[2]O process under high carbon source utilization efficiency, respectively. The PS-BSBR mainly used inorganic phosphorus (IP) in the form of non-apatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP) in EPS (85-90%), which was dependent on the adsorption of biologically induced extracellular polymers (EPS). The A[2]O process was mainly based on the IP in the form of NAIP (60-70%) in the cell for phosphate uptake and release, that was, relying on the biological phosphorus metabolism in the cell of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). Macroomics sequencing revealed that PS-BSBR had a variety of PAOs and a high-abundance glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs). By up-regulating the expression of key genes related to cellular phosphorus metabolism and EPS secretion, PS-BSBR promoted the phosphorus metabolism of PAOs cells and the biologically induced phosphate adsorption and desorption, which were dominated by the synthesis and decomposition of EPS. Therefore, the phosphorus absorption and release performance of PS-BSBR process was significantly better than that of A[2]O process. This study could provide theoretical support and regulatory guidance for the application of PS-BSBR process in sewage phosphorus recovery under the consumption of low carbon sources.},
}

@article {pmid40017617,
year = {2025},
author = {Scheithauer, TPM and Fernandes de Oliveira, IM and Ossendrijver, M and Dehay, E and van der Wurff, M and Rahaoui, H and Ballet, N and Keijser, BJF},
title = {Yeast cell wall derivatives as a potential strategy for modulating oral microbiota and dental plaque biofilm.},
journal = {Frontiers in oral health},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {1543667},
pmid = {40017617},
issn = {2673-4842},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Derivatives from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast including yeast extracts and yeast cell walls are sustainable sources of valuable nutrients, including dietary fibers and proteins. Previous studies have shown that certain components from these yeast derivatives can inhibit the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. However, the effects of yeast derivatives on oral health have not yet been investigated.

METHODS: An in vitro oral biofilm model was employed to examine the impacts of yeast derivatives on the oral microbiota and their potential benefits for maintaining oral homeostasis. The model incorporated dental plaque donor material from both healthy and periodontitis diagnosed individuals. Biofilm formation, density, and microbial composition were quantified. Additionally, the production of short-chain fatty acids in the biofilm supernatants was measured.

RESULTS: Yeast extracts had only minor effects on oral biofilm formation. In contrast, yeast cell wall derivatives, which are rich in polysaccharides such as beta-glucans and mannans, significantly reduced the density of the oral biofilms in vitro. This reduction in biofilm density was associated with an overall shift in the bacterial community composition, including an increase in beneficial bacteria and a decrease in the abundance of Tannerella forsythia, an important species involved in bacterial coaggregation and the development and maturation of the oral biofilm. Furthermore, the yeast cell wall derivatives decreased the production of short-chain fatty acids, including acetic and butyric acid. These findings were consistent across both healthy and periodontitis microbiomes.

CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the potential of yeast cell wall derivatives to positively impact oral health by significantly reducing biofilm density, modulating the oral microbial composition, and decreasing the production of short-chain fatty acids. The observed effects highlight the promising applications of these yeast-based compounds as an approach to managing oral diseases. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action and explore the clinical potential of yeast cell wall derivatives in promoting and maintaining oral health.},
}

@article {pmid40016146,
year = {2025},
author = {Kim, D and Kim, JS and Bai, X and Zhang, J and Park, M and Lee, U and Lee, J and Bahn, YS and Xu, Y and Ha, NC},
title = {Development of Miniprotein-Type Inhibitors of Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans and Candida auris.},
journal = {Journal of microbiology and biotechnology},
volume = {35},
number = {},
pages = {e2411076},
doi = {10.4014/jmb.2411.11076},
pmid = {40016146},
issn = {1738-8872},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Antifungal Agents/pharmacology/chemistry ; *Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; *Candida albicans/drug effects/physiology ; *Candida auris/drug effects/genetics ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Fungal Proteins/metabolism/antagonists & inhibitors ; },
abstract = {Candida auris is a pathogenic fungus associated with high-mortality infections and forms resilient biofilms on various surfaces. In this study, we introduced a novel antifungal strategy against C. auris by integrating an AI-powered protein design tool, ProteinMPNN, with classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to design artificial proteins from a miniprotein library. This combined approach accelerated and enhanced the design process, enabling the rapid development of effective miniprotein inhibitors specifically targeting C. auris biofilm formation. The miniproteins developed in this study exhibited potent inhibitory effects on C. auris biofilms, representing a significant advancement in antifungal therapy. Notably, the combined application of these miniproteins enhanced suppression of biofilm formation. These findings highlight not only the strong therapeutic potential of these designed miniproteins but also the power of combining AI-driven protein design with MD simulations to advance biomedical research.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Antifungal Agents/pharmacology/chemistry
*Molecular Dynamics Simulation
*Candida albicans/drug effects/physiology
*Candida auris/drug effects/genetics
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Fungal Proteins/metabolism/antagonists & inhibitors

@article {pmid40015993,
year = {2025},
author = {Taniguchi, Y and Ouhara, K and Sato, Y and Shoji, M and Hou, Y and Zhai, R and Fujimori, R and Kuwahara, N and Tamura, T and Matsuda, S and Mizuno, N},
title = {Suppressive Effects of Kouboku on Methyl Mercaptan Production and Biofilm Formation in Porphyromonas gingivalis.},
journal = {Molecular oral microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/omi.12493},
pmid = {40015993},
issn = {2041-1014},
support = {24K198800A 24K198811A//Encouragement of Young Scientists/ ; 24K198800A 24K198811A//Encouragement of Young Scientists/ ; 24K198800A 24K198811A//Encouragement of Young Scientists/ ; 22K099830A//Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research/ ; 22K099830A//Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research/ ; },
abstract = {Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacterium responsible for periodontitis, produces several pathogenic factors, including methyl mercaptan, which contribute to the disease. Kouboku (Magnoliaceae), a Chinese herbal medicine, has been shown to suppress methyl mercaptan production from P. gingivalis. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Kouboku on methyl mercaptan production, biofilm formation, P. gingivalis-host cell interactions, and its potential synergistic antibacterial effect with antibiotics. Five standard and five clinically isolated P. gingivalis strains were evaluated. Methyl mercaptan production was measured using OralChroma. The mRNA expression of mgl and fimA, which are involved in methyl mercaptan synthesis and adhesion molecules, was assessed using quantitative PCR. Biofilm formation by P. gingivalis and epithelial cell adhesion were analyzed following treatment with or without Kouboku. Furthermore, the effects of the active ingredients of Kouboku, honokiol, and magnolol, on the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antibiotics against P. gingivalis were determined. No significant differences were observed in the suppression of methyl mercaptan production among P. gingivalis strains with different FimA genotypes treated with Kouboku. Moreover, Kouboku inhibited biofilm formation in co-cultures of P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, as well as the adhesion of P. gingivalis to gingival epithelial cells through the downregulation of fimA. Treatment with honokiol and magnolol reduced the MICs of ampicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, and tetracycline against P. gingivalis. These findings demonstrate that Kouboku affects P. gingivalis by modulating its adhesion to other bacteria and host cells, and enhances the antibacterial activity of certain antibiotics.},
}

@article {pmid40015968,
year = {2025},
author = {Ali, P and Reeve, M and Carlson-Stadler, R and Vela, JD and Liu, L and Christenson, D and Shaw, A and Stadler, LB},
title = {Evaluation of biofilm scouring methods on the nitrification efficiency in a pilot-scale membrane-aerated biofilm reactor.},
journal = {Water environment research : a research publication of the Water Environment Federation},
volume = {97},
number = {3},
pages = {e70044},
doi = {10.1002/wer.70044},
pmid = {40015968},
issn = {1554-7531},
support = {//Water Environment Federation/ ; 1932000//NSF/ ; 931937//NSF/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms ; *Bioreactors ; *Nitrification ; Pilot Projects ; Membranes, Artificial ; Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods ; Nitrogen/chemistry/metabolism ; Water Purification/methods ; },
abstract = {Membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs) are being increasingly being implemented at full-scale for domestic wastewater treatment and effective biofilm control is critical to their performance. This study investigated the impact of three biofilm scouring strategies on nitrogen removal performance of a pilot-scale MABR operated in Houston, TX: (1) regular air scouring, (2) high intensity air scouring, and (3) high liquid flow scouring. Normal and high intensity air scouring regimes and a high liquid flow scour (10× baseline flow) were each tested sequentially. High NH4 [+]-N removal efficiency of 52% in flow-through mode was observed post-high liquid flow scouring, which was comparable to the performance during the intense scouring regime. The absolute abundance of amoA gene for ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) increased significantly by over 200%, between pre- and post-high liquid flow scouring. The energy consumption was 43% lower for the combination of high liquid flow scouring with regular air scouring as compared to the intense air scouring. This study showed that high liquid flows may be utilized as an energy-efficient biofilm control strategy in nitrifying MABR systems. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Pilot-scale MABR reactors were operated with different scouring settings: regular aeration, intense aeration, and high liquid flow. High liquid flow scouring improved nitrification efficiency, comparable to intense scouring. High liquid flow scouring selected for nitrifiers as seen by an increase in AOB quantified as amoA gene abundance. Using high liquid flow with regular aeration scouring reduces electrical energy consumption by 43% as compared to intense aeration scouring. High liquid flows may be used as an energy-efficient biofilm control strategy to improve nitrification performance in MABR systems.},
}

*Biofilms
*Bioreactors
*Nitrification
Pilot Projects
Membranes, Artificial
Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods
Nitrogen/chemistry/metabolism
Water Purification/methods

@article {pmid40015666,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, X and Jiao, SY and Wang, J and Wu, RR and Zhang, TT and Wang, CM and Li, XJ},
title = {Description of three new Leptotrichia species isolated from dental biofilm: Leptotrichia rugosa sp. nov., Leptotrichia mesophila sp. nov. and Leptotrichia alba sp. nov.},
journal = {Anaerobe},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {102948},
doi = {10.1016/j.anaerobe.2025.102948},
pmid = {40015666},
issn = {1095-8274},
abstract = {Three bacterial strains, namely HSP-334[T], HSP-342[T] and HSP-536[T], were isolated from human oral dental biofilm. These strains were identified as Gram-stain-negative, straight or slightly curved anaerobes. Based on 16S rRNA genes analysis, strain HSP-334[T] exhibited the closest identity to Leptotrichia shahii LB37[T] (92.25%). Strain HSP-342[T] demonstrated the highest similarity to Leptotrichia hongkongensis HKU24[T] (98.03%), while strain HSP-536[T] displayed the greatest resemblance to Leptotrichia buccalis DSM 1135[T] (97.77%). Notably, the maximum sequence similarity among the three isolates ranged from 91.56% to 94.12%. All the phylogenies showed that strains HSP-334[T], HSP-342[T], HSP-536[T], all members of genus Leptotrichia and Pseudoleptotrichia goodfellowii JCM 16774[T] were clustered in one subclade within the family Leptotrichiaceae. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values calculated between these three strains and their phylogenetically related species were determined to be lower than the established species delineation threshold values. The major cellular fatty acids detected in these novel strains were C16:0 and C18:1ω7c. Strains HSP-334[T], HSP-342[T] and HSP-536[T] could be distinguished from each other by several phenotypic characteristics. Based on the comprehensive polyphasic taxonomic characterizations conducted, strains HSP-334[T], HSP-342[T] and HSP-536[T] represent three novel species of the genus Leptotrichia, for which the name Leptotrichia rugosa sp. nov. (type strain HSP-334[T] = JCM 36566[T] = CGMCC 1.18095[T] = MCCC 1K09354[T]), Leptotrichia mesophila sp. nov. (type strain HSP-342[T] = JCM 36567[T] = CGMCC 1.18052[T] = MCCC 1K09338[T]) and Leptotrichia alba sp. nov. (type strain HSP-536[T] = JCM 36662[T] = CGMCC 1.18096[T] = MCCC 1K09339[T]) are proposed.},
}

@article {pmid40015426,
year = {2025},
author = {Sun, F and Jiao, Y and Liang, S and Zhuang, LL and Zhang, J},
title = {The effect of sulfamethoxazole on the growth of microalgae biofilms and the internal transportation and transformation of nutrients in the biofilm.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {273},
number = {},
pages = {121232},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2025.121232},
pmid = {40015426},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {The resource recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater can be realized based on microalgae biofilm cultivation. Antibiotic from wastewater could potentially transport along the microalgae biofilm and influence microalgae metabolism during the microalgae biofilm-based wastewater treatment technology. Therefore, how one typical antibiotic (sulfamethoxazole, SMX) transport inside algal biofilm was investigated in this study. Furtherly, the effects of SMX on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris and nutrients transfer dynamics along biofilm were studied by microelectrode, Raman spectroscopy and SEM-EDS. The results showed that 5 mg/L SMX could stimulate microalgae photosynthesis and increase the dry weight of microalgae biofilm by 28.56 % on the 30th day. At the same time, the algae density increased by 15.01 %. Sulfur element distribution showed that SMX accumulated 15 % ∼ 25 % more in the middle and bottom layers (40 μm ∼ 140 μm) than in the surface layer of the biofilm. SMX at the deeper layer stimulated the utilization of nitrogen, accelerating the uneven distribution of nitrogen (117 % ∼ 162 % more than the surface layer). 5 mg/L SMX extended the effective photosynthetic region near the surface layer by 40 μm. This change intensified the chemical composition differences between the surface and bottom layers. The correlation analysis showed that nitrogen might be the key factor limiting the growth of microalgae biofilm. This study proved the positive effects of 5 mg/L SMX on microalgae biofilm growth, providing theoretical support for the application of microalgae biofilm technology in antibiotic treatment.},
}

@article {pmid40014816,
year = {2024},
author = {Dubois, VÁ and Salgado, PA and Molgatini, SL and Gliosca, LA},
title = {Subgingival biofilm colonization by Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis in patients living with HIV from Buenos Aires, Argentina.},
journal = {Acta odontologica latinoamericana : AOL},
volume = {37},
number = {3},
pages = {191-202},
doi = {10.54589/aol.37/3/191},
pmid = {40014816},
issn = {1852-4834},
support = {01-02-18//Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Programa de apoyo a la Investigación Integrada CONVOCATORIA 2019 -2024/ ; UBACYT 20720160100002BA//University of Buenos Aires/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Biofilms ; Male ; *Candida albicans/isolation & purification ; Adult ; Female ; *HIV Infections/microbiology/complications ; Argentina ; Candida/isolation & purification ; Gingiva/microbiology ; Middle Aged ; Candidiasis, Oral/microbiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OC) is common among people living with HIV (PLWH). Persistent colonization of oral epithelial surfaces serves as an ecological niche for opportunistic pathogens and is a significant predisposing factor for OC development in PLWH. Mucosal colonization can lead to biofilm formation, directly impacting oral epithelium.

AIM: To assess Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis colonization in subgingival biofilms of people living with HIV (PLWH) and undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART).

MATERIALS AND METHOD: A sample of 51 PLWH who were receiving ART was studied, focusing on dental and periodontal parameters. Subgingival biofilm and mucosa samples were collected, and Candida spp. were identified using molecular techniques.

RESULTS: Men (average age: 41.11 ± 8.63) predominated. The main cause of HIV was sexual transmission. Fungal-related opportunistic diseases were observed in 18 patients, and LT CD4 counts were evaluated. A total 255 samples were collected, including 204 from gingivoperiodontal sites and 51 from oral mucosa. Candida spp. was detected in 55% of patients, with particular distribution patterns. Positive Candida spp. presence correlated with clinical attachment level and HIV treatments. Microscopic identification revealed the presence of hyphae at the time of microbiological sample collection. Molecular identification confirmed 16 Candida albicans and 36 Candida dubliniensis isolates, challenging their diagnostic importance.

CONCLUSIONS: The presence of yeast hyphae/pseudohyphae in subgingival biofilms indicates their role in gingivo-periodontal disease dysbiosis. PLWH in this Argentine region face challenges including limited access to healthcare. The study underscores the need for early oral health intervention, emphasizing the diagnostic significance of Candida.},
}

Humans
*Biofilms
Male
*Candida albicans/isolation & purification
Adult
Female
*HIV Infections/microbiology/complications
Argentina
Candida/isolation & purification
Gingiva/microbiology
Middle Aged
Candidiasis, Oral/microbiology
Cross-Sectional Studies

@article {pmid40014067,
year = {2025},
author = {Kaur, J and Lather, A and Cheema, PS and Jangir, BL and Manoj, J and Singh, M and Joshi, VG and Chhabra, R},
title = {Designing, Synthesis and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Peptide Against Biofilm Forming Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {82},
number = {4},
pages = {159},
pmid = {40014067},
issn = {1432-0991},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology ; Animals ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mice ; Vero Cells ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/chemical synthesis ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Antimicrobial Peptides/pharmacology/chemistry/chemical synthesis ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology/drug therapy ; Humans ; Drug Design ; },
abstract = {Increasing antimicrobial resistance and residue in an ecosystem is a huge threat to human as well as animal possibly inviting an uncontrollable outbreak and spoiling food. Use of alternative approaches in tackling the resistance problem has shown promising results in recent past. The present study was targeted to develop and evaluate the use synthetic peptide against biofilm forming methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Peptide evaluation included determination of MIC, time kill kinetics, lysis activity, cell cytotoxicity assay, effect on biofilm formation, mechanism of action, thermo-stability and pH stability. Initially, a synthetic antimicrobial peptide, RWWKARIRL (ANLP-V3) was designed using bioinformatics tools and synthesized by solid phase synthesis using Fmoc chemistry. Peptide was found to exhibit antibacterial activity at 19.5 µg/mL concentration against both ATCC & clinical isolates of S. aureus. The time kill kinetic studies revealed > 99% inhibition of growth after 3 h at MIC, whereas 100% cell inhibition was seen at 2 h at 2 × MIC and 4 × MIC. No cytotoxicity was observed against mice RBCs as well as Vero cells at 2 × MIC. The AMP was found to be thermo-stable as well as pH stable at a wide range. Field emission scanning electron microscopy study demonstrates cell morphological alterations in AMP treated cells indicating membrane interacting nature of AMP. At MIC concentration, effective inhibition of biofilm formation in ATCC strains was seen. In conclusion, designed peptide might be effective antimicrobial agent against methicillin resistant biofilm forming S. aureus underlining possibilities of its preclinical development against mastitis in dairy animals.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology
Animals
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Mice
Vero Cells
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/chemical synthesis
Chlorocebus aethiops
Antimicrobial Peptides/pharmacology/chemistry/chemical synthesis
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology/drug therapy
Humans
Drug Design

@article {pmid40012871,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, X and He, F and Xu, X and Wu, L and Rong, J and Lin, S},
title = {Environmental Health and Safety Implications of the Interplay Between Microplastics and the Residing Biofilm.},
journal = {Environment & health (Washington, D.C.)},
volume = {3},
number = {2},
pages = {118-132},
pmid = {40012871},
issn = {2833-8278},
abstract = {The increasing prevalence of microplastics in the environment has raised concerns about their potential environmental and health implications. Biofilms readily colonize microplastics upon their entry into the environment, altering their surface characteristics. While most studies have explored how biofilms influence the adsorption and transportation of other contaminants by microplastics, the reciprocal interplay between microplastics and biofilms and the resulting ecological risks remain understudied. This review comprehensively reviews the impact of microplastic properties on biofilm formation and composition, including the microbial community structure. We then explore the dynamic interactions between microplastics and biofilms, examining how biofilms alter the physicochemical properties, migration, and deposition of microplastics. Furthermore, we emphasize the potential of biofilm-colonized microplastics to influence the environmental fate of other pollutants. Lastly, we discuss how biofilm-microplastic interactions may modify the bioavailability, biotoxicity, and potential health implications of microplastics.},
}

@article {pmid40012443,
year = {2025},
author = {Meng, X and Liu, Q and Wang, X and Han, X and Zhang, Q and Hu, HY},
title = {An Activatable Long-Fluorescence-Lifetime Probe for Exploring the Dual Function of StrH in Biofilm Formation and Necroptosis.},
journal = {Advanced healthcare materials},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2404252},
doi = {10.1002/adhm.202404252},
pmid = {40012443},
issn = {2192-2659},
support = {2021-I2M-1-054//Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Initiative for Innovative Medicine/ ; 2242025//Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality/ ; 22122705//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 22277143//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 22077139//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, particularly those associated with biofilm formation, pose significant therapeutic challenges due to their increased resistance to antibiotics and immune evasion. Identifying new biomarkers is crucial for accurate diagnosis and the development of innovative treatment strategies. StrH is recognized as a key enzyme in S. pneumoniae carbohydrate metabolism, however, its specific role in biofilm formation and its interactions with the host remain poorly understood. In this study, a highly sensitive and selective turn-on long-lifetime fluorescence probe, "HBT-PXZ-St," is designed to detect StrH activity and to reveal its functions. Using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), "HBT-PXZ-St" can quantify StrH activity and image live S. pneumoniae cells, achieving a fluorescence lifetime of ≈2 µs, which effectively minimizes background short-lived fluorescence interference. Additionally, the findings suggest that StrH activity significantly contributes to biofilm development and induces necroptosis in A549 host cells via the receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) pathway, thereby promoting bacterial colonization and invasion. This study provides insight into StrH's dual role as both a "sword and shield" during colonization and invasion, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for novel treatments against S. pneumoniae infections.},
}

@article {pmid40011382,
year = {2025},
author = {Yuksekdag, Z and Kilickaya, R and Kara, F and Acar, BC},
title = {Biogenic-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using the Ligilactobacillus salivarius KC27L Postbiotic: Antimicrobial, Anti-Biofilm, and Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxic Effects.},
journal = {Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40011382},
issn = {1867-1314},
abstract = {This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the postbiotic of the Ligilactobacillus salivarius KC27L strain and evaluate their multifunctional biological properties. The use of L. salivarius, a probiotic bacterium known for its ability to produce a wide range of metabolites, plays a crucial role in this process by acting as a natural, eco-friendly reducing, and stabilizing agent during AgNP synthesis. This approach not only eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals typically used in nanoparticle synthesis but also enhances the biocompatibility and biological efficacy of the resulting nanoparticles. Synthesized AgNPs were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR (metabolites of postbiotic); UV-vis (peak of 435 nm); scanning electron microscope, SEM; transmission electron microscopy, TEM (spherical shapes, sizes < 50 nm), energy-dispersive spectrometry, EDS (peak at 3 keV); and zeta potential (- 18.6 mV). These nanoparticles (0.156-40 mg/mL) were evaluated for the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against Escherichia coli ATCC 11229, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, and antioxidant activities using four different methods (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging, metal ion chelating, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and superoxide anion scavenging activities). Also, the cytotoxic activity was investigated against a normal cell line (L929) for 24, 48, and 72 h. At a concentration of 40 mg/mL, the AgNPs demonstrated the highest antimicrobial efficacy, with inhibition zones measured as 14.9 mm for P. aeruginosa, 9.5 mm for E. coli, 15.7 mm for S. epidermidis, and 12.9 mm for S. mutans. The AgNPs exhibited anti-biofilm activities against all Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains studied. According to the DPPH method, the highest antioxidant activity was determined at 40 mg/mL AgNP concentration (80.93%). AgNPs were found to have no toxic effect at low concentrations (0.39-25 µg/mL). Biogenic synthesized AgNPs could be used in biotechnological applications (biomaterials, health, environmental, etc.) with antibacterial, anti-biofilm, antioxidant, and nontoxic properties. However, further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action of the particles fully.},
}

@article {pmid40011295,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, P and Huo, Y and Yang, Q and Zhao, F and Li, C and Ju, J},
title = {Synergistic anti-biofilm strategy based on essential oils and its application in the food industry.},
journal = {World journal of microbiology & biotechnology},
volume = {41},
number = {3},
pages = {81},
pmid = {40011295},
issn = {1573-0972},
support = {32202192//The National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; tsqn202211195//The special fund for Taishan Scholars project/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Oils, Volatile/pharmacology ; *Food Industry ; *Quorum Sensing/drug effects ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Drug Synergism ; Bacteria/drug effects ; Food Microbiology ; },
abstract = {The microbial biofilm can induce a variety of food safety problems, and cause huge economic losses. Essential oils (EOs) not only have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity but also have a good ability to inhibit biofilm. However, the addition dose of EOs in practical application usually exceeds their flavor threshold, resulting in the appearance of undesired flavor. Therefore, synergistic antimicrobial may be a potential strategy to improve the antibacterial activity of EOs and to reduce their dosage. This paper focuses on the analysis of the synergistic anti-biofilm strategies based on EOs. Based on these, the action mechanism of EOs against biofilm and other commonly used anti-biofilm strategies in the food industry are summarized. The anti-biofilm mechanism of EOs is mainly related to inhibiting the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides and proteins, destroying biofilm structure, inhibiting the metabolic activity of biofilm, inhibiting quorum sensing (QS) and regulating the formation of biofilm and the expression of toxicity-related genes. At present, the commonly used anti-biofilm strategies in the food industry mainly include physical strategies, chemical strategies and biological strategies, among which the combined application of different strategies is the future development trend. In particular, the synergistic anti-biofilm strategy based on EOs has shown great application value in the food industry. To sum up, some new information in this paper will give guidance and provide more reference for the development of efficient biofilm regulation strategies in future.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Oils, Volatile/pharmacology
*Food Industry
*Quorum Sensing/drug effects
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Drug Synergism
Bacteria/drug effects
Food Microbiology

@article {pmid40010280,
year = {2025},
author = {Buakaew, T and Ratanatamskul, C},
title = {Enhanced pharmaceutical removal from building wastewater by the novel integrated system of anaerobic baffled biofilm-membrane bioreactor and UV/O3: Microbial community, occurrence of bio-intermediates and post-treatment.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {377},
number = {},
pages = {124657},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124657},
pmid = {40010280},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {This research aimed to develop the novel integrated system of anaerobic baffled biofilm-membrane bioreactor (AnBB-MBR) (with and without microaeration) and UV/O3 for removal of target pharmaceuticals (ciprofloxacin (CIP), caffeine (CAF), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and diclofenac (DCF)) from building wastewater. The investigation was performed to elucidate how microaeration affected the removal performances, degradation kinetics and pathways of bio-intermediates of the AnBB-MBR. Two AnBB-MBR reactors - R1: AnBB-MBR (without microaeration) and R2: AnBB-MBR with microaeration at 0.93 LO2/LFeed - were operated at the same hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 30 h. The UV/O3 was selected as the post-treatment system. While UV alone slightly removed CIP without the removal of other compounds. After 150 min of the UV/O3, the R1 with UV/O3 achieved 97.31-100% removal efficiency of targeted pharmaceuticals and increased to 99.47-100% with the R2 integrated with UV/O3. The obtained pseudo-first order kinetic rate constants of the UV/O3 in treating the permeate of R1 were 0.0235, 0.004, 0.0423 and 0.097 min[-1] for CIP, CAF, SMX and DCF, respectively. Whereas the obtained pseudo-first order kinetic rate constants of the UV/O3 in treating the permeate of R2 were 0.021, 0.0338, 0.0511 and 0.0527 min[-1] for CIP, CAF, SMX and DCF, respectively. For the major microorganisms involved in targeted pharmaceutical removal in the R2 under microaerobic conditions included ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and methanotrophs, while Bacillus, Longilinea, Clostridium and Lactivibrio were possibly responsible for pharmaceutical removal in the R1 under anaerobic conditions. The differences of bio-intermediates between anaerobic and microaerobic conditions were exclusively identified. In addition, the integration of AnBB-MBR with microaeration and UV/O3 was more effective in removing a wide variety of bio-intermediates than the case of the integrated system without microaeration. Therefore, the integrated system of AnBB-MBR with microaeration and UV/O3 can be a promising technology for pharmaceutical removal from building wastewater.},
}

@article {pmid40010273,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, YY and Luo, BZ and Li, CM and Liang, JL and Liu, Z and Chen, WM and Guo, JL},
title = {Discovery of 3-hydroxypyridin-4(1H)-ones ester of ciprofloxacin as prodrug to combat biofilm-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa.},
journal = {European journal of medicinal chemistry},
volume = {289},
number = {},
pages = {117396},
doi = {10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.117396},
pmid = {40010273},
issn = {1768-3254},
abstract = {Chronic infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) are frequently complicated due to its ability to form biofilm, which also effectively enhance its resistance to antibiotics. Bacteria-specific antibiotic delivery could locally increase drug concentration to break antimicrobial resistance and reduce the drug's peripheral side effects. The standard-of-care drug ciprofloxacin suffers from severe systemic side effects and was therefore chosen for this approach. It has been identified that 3-hydroxypyridin-4(1H)-one as siderophore mimics could be utilized by P. aeruginosa, and reduced bacterial biofilm formation. In this work, ciprofloxacin was conjugated to 3-hydroxypyridin-4(1H)-one by cleavable linkers to yield prodrugs, which were strategically designed and synthesized to function as dual antibacterial and antibiofilm agents against P. aeruginosa. Conjugate 5c was identified and has the best minimum inhibitory concentrations of 1.07 μM against P. aeruginosa PAO1, and reduced 61.7 % of biofilm formation. In addition, 5c destroyed 75.7 % of mature biofilms. Further studies on the uptake mechanisms showed that the bacterial siderophore-dependent iron transport system was involved in the uptake of the conjugates. Conjugate 5c interfered with iron uptake by bacteria, inhibited their motilities and reduced the production of virulence. Furthermore, prodrug 5c reduced toxicity in vivo and in vitro and showed a positive therapeutic effect in the treatment of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) infected by P. aeruginosa. These results demonstrate that 3-hydroxypyridin-4(1H)-ones-ciprofloxacin prodrugs are potent in the treatment of biofilm-associated drug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections.},
}

@article {pmid40010214,
year = {2025},
author = {Cheng, Y and Yu, Q and Zhang, W and Liu, Z and Ding, J and Pan, H and Li, Y and Wu, D and Zhu, M and Xie, X and Zhu, N},
title = {Diet dependent trophic transfer of nanoparticles (ZnO and TiO2) along the "photic biofilm-snail" food chain.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {489},
number = {},
pages = {137657},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137657},
pmid = {40010214},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Multispecies biofilm exhibited high resistance to nanotoxicity by secreting extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and undergoing alterations in the community composition. Scarce information was available to assess how these changes could further influence the transfer of nanoparticles (NPs) through the biofilm-based food chain. Photic biofilm was exposed to two distinct NPs (ZnO and TiO2) and subsequently grazed by snails. Exposure to different NPs led to variations in biomass, chlorophyll content, EPS productivity, alpha diversity, and community composition of the photic biofilm. The presence of ZnO NPs facilitated the growth of phylum Cyanobacteria while TiO2 promoted EPS productivity of photic biofilm. EPS were capable of embedding NPs (TiO2 and ZnO) within its matrix, thereby mitigating their aggregation within the biofilm matrix. These alterations were subsequently confirmed to have an impact on the trophic transfer factors (TTF) of NPs through the constructed biofilm-snail food chain. The TTF of ZnO was lower than that of TiO2 in feeding scenario 1 (only fed on TiO2 or ZnO biofilm) but higher than that of TiO2 in feeding scenario 2 (fed on TiO2 and ZnO biofilm simultaneously), which was attributed to the shifts in the algae composition and a smaller size of ZnO NPs in EPS. This study demonstrated that the response of photic biofilm to NPs further affected the TTFs of NPs through the food chain.},
}

@article {pmid40010036,
year = {2025},
author = {Maetens, L and Maiti, B and Cools, F and Verheye, S and Daelemans, D and Persoons, L and Temmerman, L and Kieswetter, A and Van der Eycken, EV and Coppola, GA and Vackier, T and Steenackers, HP},
title = {Optimizing biofilm inhibitors: Balancing activity and toxicity in 2N-aminated 5-aryl-2-aminoimidazoles.},
journal = {Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry},
volume = {121},
number = {},
pages = {118115},
doi = {10.1016/j.bmc.2025.118115},
pmid = {40010036},
issn = {1464-3391},
abstract = {To evaluate the effect of amination on biofilm inhibition against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, representative compounds of two previously described 5-aryl-2-aminoimidazole (5-Ar-2-AI) classes were aminated by installing an amino group at the end of the substituted n-alkyl chain. Amination led to an improvement in activity for one of the two classes, the 2N-substituted 5-Ar-2-AI class. Based on these findings, a more extensive library of 2N-substituted-aminated 5-Ar-2-AIs was synthesized having different n-alkyl and halogen substitutions on the 2N-position and the 4(5)-phenyl ring, respectively. Compounds were evaluated for their biofilm inhibitory activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and MRSA. Additionally, their toxicity was tested on eight continuous cell lines, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Caenorhabditis elegans, along with their genotoxicity on Capan-1. Halogenation and elongation of the n-alkyl substituent showed a positive effect on biofilm inhibitory activity, but also increased toxicity. Compromising between activity and toxicity, a non-halogenated 2N-substituted-aminated 5-Ar-2-AI compound with an intermediate n-heptyl substitution demonstrated promising broad-spectrum biofilm inhibition, making it a suitable candidate for further research in anti-infectious medical applications.},
}

@article {pmid40009776,
year = {2025},
author = {Ghosh, A and Bhattacharya, T and Mandal, D and Dutta, K and Dey, S and Saha, K and Chattopadhyay, D},
title = {Synthesis of Yttria Nanoparticle-Loaded Electrospun Nanofibers for Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity, Biofilm Inhibition, and Alleviation of Diabetic Wounds.},
journal = {ACS applied bio materials},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acsabm.4c01818},
pmid = {40009776},
issn = {2576-6422},
abstract = {Diabetes-related sores and ulcers are quite common around the world and can cause complicated disruptions to both patient compliance and socioeconomic structure. Diabetic wounds take longer to heal due to pathophysiological causes, persistent infections, and increasingly severe medical problems. Nanoparticles (NPs) derived from nanotechnology have drawn interest due to their revolutionary potential in understanding the biological milieu and offering therapeutic strategies for wound healing. In this regard, the potential of yttrium oxide nanoparticles (YNPs) has been studied extensively to understand their efficacy in diabetic wound healing. Yttrium oxide nanoparticles having size in the range of 2-10 nm were prepared and incorporated into nanofibrous mats consisting of polyurethane as the matrix polymer, and leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and clindamycin hydrochloride as additive conventional antidiabetic and antibacterial agents to form S3. Physicochemical characterization tests confirmed the formation of nanofibers having average diameters in the range of 320-470 nm, respectively. The study demonstrated that S3 shows an enhanced zone of inhibition against E. coli (29 mm), S. aureus (32 mm), and P. aeruginosa (30 mm). Moreover, the nanofibrous mats also prevented microbial penetration and biofilm formation, as observed from MTT, CV, and confocal microscopy images. In vivo wound healing study conducted on diabetic mice revealed that S3 exhibited high wound contraction after 9 days of treatment. Additionally, the fabricated mat lowered plasma glucose levels, hepatotoxicity, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Therefore, it can be concluded that YNP-loaded nanofibrous composite mats have a strong potential in alleviating diabetic wounds.},
}

@article {pmid40008876,
year = {2025},
author = {Borralho, J and Handem, S and Lança, J and Ferreira, B and Candeias, C and Henriques, AO and Hiller, NL and Valente, C and Sá-Leão, R},
title = {Inhibition of pneumococcal growth and biofilm formation by human isolates of Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0133624},
doi = {10.1128/aem.01336-24},
pmid = {40008876},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: In a world facing the unprecedented threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, targeted approaches to control colonization and prevent disease caused by common pathobionts offer a promising solution. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a leading cause of infections worldwide, affecting both children and adults despite available antimicrobials and vaccines. Colonization, which occurs in the form of a biofilm in the upper respiratory tract, is frequent and a prerequisite for disease and transmission. The use of live bacterial strains as biotherapeutics for infectious diseases is actively being explored. Here, we investigated the potential of commensal streptococci to control S. pneumoniae. Screening of over 300 human isolates led to the identification of seven strains (one Streptococcus oralis and six Streptococcus mitis, designated A22 to G22) with inhibitory activity against S. pneumoniae of multiple serotypes and genotypes. Characterization of A22 to G22 cell-free supernatants indicated the involvement of secreted proteins or peptides in the inhibitory effect of all S. mitis isolates. Genome analyses revealed the presence of 64 bacteriocin loci, encoding 70 putative bacteriocins, several of which are novel and absent or rare in over 7,000 publicly available pneumococcal genomes. Deletion mutants indicated that bacteriocins partially or completely explained the anti-pneumococcal activity of the commensal strains. Importantly, strains A22 to G22 were further able to prevent and disrupt pneumococcal biofilms, a proxy for nasopharyngeal colonization. These results highlight the intricacy of the interactions among nasopharyngeal colonizers and support the potential of strains A22 to G22 to be used as live biotherapeutics, alone or in combination, to control S. pneumoniae colonization.

IMPORTANCE: Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) infections remain a major public health issue despite the use of vaccines and antibiotics. Pneumococci asymptomatically colonize the human upper respiratory tract, a niche shared with several commensal Streptococcus species. Competition for space and nutrients among species sharing the same niche is well documented and tends to be more intense among closely related species. Based on this rationale, a screening of several commensal streptococci isolated from the human upper respiratory tract led to the identification of strains of Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis capable of inhibiting most pneumococcal strains, across diverse serotypes and genotypes. This inhibition was partially or wholly linked to the expression of novel bacteriocins. The selected S. mitis and S. oralis strains significantly disrupted pneumococcal biofilms, indicating a potential for using commensals as biotherapeutics to control pneumococcal colonization, a key step in preventing disease and transmission.},
}

@article {pmid40008875,
year = {2025},
author = {Reiche, T and Hageskal, G and Mares, M and Hoel, S and Tøndervik, A and Heggeset, TMB and Haugen, T and Sperstad, SB and Trøen, HH and Bjørkøy, S and Jakobsen, AN},
title = {Shifts in surface microbiota after cleaning and disinfection in broiler processing plants: incomplete biofilm eradication revealed by robotic high-throughput screening.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0240124},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02401-24},
pmid = {40008875},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {Broiler processing environments are a source of spoilage bacteria and potential pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of cleaning and disinfection (C&D) on bacterial load and diversity in two broiler processing plants and to determine the efficacy of industry-standard disinfectants (DIs). C&D significantly reduced average bacterial loads on surfaces from 3.7 to 1.8 log CFU/cm[2] in Plant A and from 7.0 to 3.8 log CFU/cm[2] in Plant B (P < 0.001). Metataxonomics revealed that Acinetobacter and an unknown Enterobacteriaceae genus dominated before C&D in Plants A and B, respectively, while Pseudomonas was predominant after C&D in both plants. Bacterial diversity only declined significantly after C&D in Plant B. Bacterial loads also declined across hygienic zones along the broiler processing line in Plant A. During slaughter, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, and Anoxybacillus dominated, and bacterial loads were significantly higher compared with post-slaughter zones, which were dominated by Pseudomonas. Culture-dependent analyses confirmed the presence of Pseudomonas spp. and also bacteria affecting food safety, including Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A selection of these was tested against DIs using robotic high-throughput screening. At the recommended user concentrations, DIs effectively inhibited planktonic bacteria and significantly reduced mono-species biofilms. However, none of the DIs completely eradicated all biofilms at these concentrations, with survival rates ranging from 7% to 53%, depending on the DI. In conclusion, C&D effectively reduces the bacterial burden and reshapes the bacterial microbiota with incomplete biofilm eradication by commercial DIs.IMPORTANCEBroiler meat continues to be involved in bacterial disease outbreaks. The surface microbiota in broiler processing environments can be a source of contaminating bacteria. Our study highlights the importance of effective C&D routines since potential pathogens and spoilage bacteria are found in these environments. Furthermore, the study provides evidence of biofilms surviving high concentrations of industry-standard DIs. This emphasizes the importance of additional measures to facilitate biofilm removal, such as mechanical cleaning, but also suggests that there is a need for DIs with stronger biofilm eradication capabilities. Ultimately, it is important to understand and continuously improve the state of hygiene in broiler processing plants to mitigate the risk of foodborne disease outbreaks.},
}

@article {pmid40008689,
year = {2025},
author = {Rodrigues, RS and Carvalho, AG and Silva, MEP and Ramos, IVG and Lima, NCS and Esquerdo, RP and Belém, MGL and Taborda, RLM and Carvalho-Assef, APD and Matos, NB},
title = {Antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in Klebsiella spp. isolates from Intensive Care Units in the Brazilian Amazon.},
journal = {Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia},
volume = {84},
number = {},
pages = {e286461},
doi = {10.1590/1519-6984.286461},
pmid = {40008689},
issn = {1678-4375},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Intensive Care Units ; *Klebsiella/drug effects/isolation & purification/physiology ; Humans ; Brazil ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; *beta-Lactamases ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; },
abstract = {Klebsiella spp. is an opportunistic pathogen which poses a significant threat to public health, especially due to antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation. This study aimed to determine the antibiotic resistance profile, biofilm formation and β-lactamases production in Klebsiella spp. strains from clinical samples obtained from hospitalized patients, health professionals and hospital environment of intensive care units (ICUs) in Brazilian Amazon. The strains were obtained from clinical samples in different hospitals and identified using molecular techniques. The antimicrobial susceptibility was investigated via disk diffusion and microdilution. Biofilm formation was evaluated using a microtiter plate assay, while the extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases production was assessed via disk approximation tests and combined disk tests, respectively. A total of 226 Klebsiella spp. strains were identified, with 141 coming from patients hospitalized in ICUs, 54 from healthcare workers, and 31 from hospital structures. Collection sites that showed the highest frequencies of isolated bacteria were the armpit (43,3%), oral cavity (42.6%), nasal cavity (70.4%), beds (54.8%) and mechanical ventilation (19.4%). Klebsiella spp. isolates from hospitalized patients and hospital ICU environments showed a high frequency of resistance (>50%) to the antibiotics, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and aztreonam, and greater sensitivity (>70%) to carbapenems, amikacin and polymyxin B. Samples obtained from hospital structures (74.2%) and patients (51.8%) exhibited a high rate of multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates. In addition, 29% of Klebsiella isolates were found to produce ESBL and 15.5% carbapenemases. Biofilm formation was observed in 58.4% (132/226) of the isolates, with percentages of 64.5% (91/141) in hospitalized patients, 51.6% (16/31) on hospital structures, and 46.3% (25/54) among healthcare professionals. These results indicated a high percentage of antibiotics resistance and MDR in isolates from hospital structures and patients, which also showed ability to produce biofilms, ESBL and carbapenemases. Our findings reinforce the need to monitor resistance and adopt measures aimed at preventing the spread of MDR bacteria in ICUs.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Intensive Care Units
*Klebsiella/drug effects/isolation & purification/physiology
Humans
Brazil
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
*beta-Lactamases
Drug Resistance, Bacterial

@article {pmid40008293,
year = {2025},
author = {Volk, M and Šavli, D and Molan, K and Terlep, S and Levičnik-Höfferle, Š and Trost, M and Gašpirc, B and Lukač, M and Jezeršek, M and Stopar, D},
title = {Er:YAG laser biofilm removal from zero-gap periodontal/peri-implant model system mimicking clinical attachment loss.},
journal = {Journal of biomedical optics},
volume = {30},
number = {2},
pages = {025002},
pmid = {40008293},
issn = {1560-2281},
mesh = {*Biofilms ; *Lasers, Solid-State ; *Dental Implants/microbiology ; Titanium/chemistry ; Humans ; Photoacoustic Techniques/methods ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes/chemistry ; Models, Biological ; },
abstract = {SIGNIFICANCE: Here, we present a photoacoustic method to remove biofilms from periodontal and peri-implant-constrained geometries.

AIM: We aim to remove biofilms from narrow periodontal and peri-implant model systems with the application of Er:YAG ultrashort laser pulses.

APPROACH: Construction of zero-gap model system from PDMS and titanium, growth of biofilms on titanium surfaces, and removal of biofilms with Er:YAG USP, 20 mJ, 15 Hz, and 10 s were performed.

RESULTS: The results suggest that geometry, the vertical position of the laser fiber tip, and the evolution of the primary cavitation bubble significantly affect cleaning effectiveness. Cleaning was higher in the wedge part of the model system. In the zero-gap part of the model system, biofilm cleaning effectiveness was highest at the position of the laser fiber tip and decreased above and below the fiber tip. The dimension of the space in which the cavitation bubble develops determines the size and dynamics of the expanded cavitation bubble and consequently the biofilm cleaning effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggest a very good biofilm removal effectiveness in difficult-to-reach narrow geometries mimicking clinical attachment loss in the periodontal/peri-implant pocket.},
}

*Biofilms
*Lasers, Solid-State
*Dental Implants/microbiology
Titanium/chemistry
Humans
Photoacoustic Techniques/methods
Dimethylpolysiloxanes/chemistry
Models, Biological

@article {pmid40008271,
year = {2025},
author = {Martin, A and Doyle, N and O'Mahony, TF},
title = {Sodium dichloroisocyanurate: a promising candidate for the disinfection of resilient drain biofilm.},
journal = {Infection prevention in practice},
volume = {7},
number = {1},
pages = {100446},
pmid = {40008271},
issn = {2590-0889},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Biofilms are complex multicellular communities of microorganisms embedded within a protective matrix which confers resistance to various antimicrobials, including biocides. Biofilms can cause a range of human diseases and are responsible for 1.7 million hospital-acquired infections in the US annually, providing an economic burden of $11.5 billion in treatment costs. Biofilm contained within drain and plumbing systems may contain pathogenic viruses and bacteria which pose a significant risk to patient safety within healthcare environments.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine if three hospital-grade disinfectants (sodium dichloroisocyanurate, peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite) were capable of killing microorganisms within biofilm, and thus, determining their potential as candidates for drain biofilm disinfection.

METHODS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms were cultivated using the CDC biofilm reactor, a standardised method for determining disinfectant efficacy against biofilm within the United States of America. Each disinfectant was tested using a one-minute contact time, using the highest concentration available on the product label.

FINDINGS: The sodium dichloroisocyanurate product was successful in killing biofilm microorganisms, resulting in a log reduction of ≥ 8.70. Peracetic acid reduced biofilm by 3.82 log10 units, followed by sodium hypochlorite, which produced a reduction of 3.78 log10 units.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of a highly effective disinfectant with proven biofilm efficacy can help ensure patient safety and reduce infection levels. Drains and plumbing systems provide a reservoir for potential pathogens and biofilm; thus, drain disinfection is critical in reducing the instance of hospital-acquired infections. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate may provide a reliable solution for drain applications and subsequently, patient wellbeing and safety.},
}

@article {pmid40008185,
year = {2025},
author = {Robertsson, C and Davies, J and Svensäter, G and Nord, AB and Norrström, N and Wickström, C},
title = {MUC5B modulation of early oral biofilm glucose metabolism.},
journal = {Frontiers in oral health},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {1516025},
pmid = {40008185},
issn = {2673-4842},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Salivary mucin MUC5B has been suggested to support eubiosis in early oral biofilms by regulating the attachment of commensals, while downregulating dysbiotic activities related to dental caries development, such as microbial carbohydrate transport and metabolism.

METHODS: To investigate how the metabolism of glucose, a potential driver for dental caries, in early mono- and dual-species biofilms of oral Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus gordonii clinical isolates was affected by the presence of the complex salivary mucin MUC5B, this study employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics with the interpretation of network integration.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: MUC5B reduced early attachment in the presence of glucose compared with uncoated surfaces but maintained even species distribution. This suggests that MUC5B may represent an innate mechanism to regulate biofilm eubiosis by supporting early coadhesion while regulating total biomass. All annotated metabolites were intermediates in either carbohydrate metabolism, pyruvate conversion, or amino acid metabolism, which was not unexpected in biofilm glucose metabolomes from two saccharolytic species since pyruvate conversion represents a junction point between glycolysis and amino acid metabolic chains. The 10 metabolites present in all early biofilms represent a core metabolome shared by A. naeslundii and S. gordonii. Such core metabolomes can be used to detect deviations in future studies. Significant differences in metabolite abundance elicited by the presence of MUC5B were also detected. In early biofilms where they were each present, pyruvate, ethanol, and metabolite 134 were present in significantly higher abundance in the presence of 25% MUC5B with 20 mM glucose (MUC5B + G) compared with a physiologic buffer with 20 mM glucose (PBS + G), while metabolites 84, 97, and sarcosine were present at significantly lower abundance. Metabolite 72 was unique to biofilms grown in MUC5B + G, and eight unannotated metabolites were unique to biofilms grown in PBS + G. A pathway enrichment analysis of the metabolites that were differently expressed in early A. naeslundii, S. gordonii, and dual-species biofilms grown with 20 mM glucose with or without MUC5B showed that pyruvate metabolism was significantly over-represented. Studying the metabolic interactions between commensal members of oral biofilms and modulatory effects of host factors such as glycoproteins in saliva during the metabolism of substrates that are potential drivers of dysbiosis, such as glucose, is essential to understand the roles of oral microbial ecosystems in oral health and disease.},
}

@article {pmid40007476,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, Y and Wang, P and Liu, Y and Wu, X and Long, G and Chen, Y and Wang, J and Tong, F and Wang, X},
title = {Fe3O4-Based Nanospheres with High Photothermal Conversion Efficiency for Dual-Effect and Mild Biofilm Eradication against Periodontitis.},
journal = {ACS applied materials & interfaces},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acsami.4c17966},
pmid = {40007476},
issn = {1944-8252},
abstract = {Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory oral disease resulting from plaque biofilms, affects about 743 million individuals worldwide. However, the efficacy of current treatments is hampered by challenges in delivering antibiotics to recalcitrant oral biofilms and bacterial resistance, thereby impeding successful treatment of infectious diseases. To address the issues, an antibacterial photothermal material was designed, comprising a spherical structure of zinc oxide (ZnO) wrapped with triiron tetraoxide (Fe3O4). The outer layer of the material adsorbed epsilon-polylysine (EPL) by electrostatic action, ultimately leading to the fabrication of Fe3O4/ZnO/EPL nanoparticles (FZE NPs). The Fe3O4 core endowed the nanoparticles with efficient photothermal properties, facilitating the dispersion of dense biofilms, which dramatically promoted the adsorption and penetration of ZnO and EPL into the biofilms to effectively kill bacteria in biofilms in vitro with enhanced sterilization ability. Additionally, upon dissolution in aqueous media, EPL acts as a positively charged antimicrobial peptide that adsorbs onto the surface of negatively charged bacterial membranes, thereby effectively modulating inflammatory responses. In order to ascertain the efficacy of FZE NPs, an investigation was conducted into their antimicrobial effects against the periodontitis-associated pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in vitro. Furthermore, the antiperiodontitis potential of FZE NPs was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of ligamentous periodontitis. In addition, toxicity evaluations indicated that the material had an acceptable biosafety profile in vitro and in vivo. In summary, the nanospheres (FZE NPs) represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of periodontitis.},
}

@article {pmid40006756,
year = {2025},
author = {Miranda, DG and Tomé, FM and Miguel, MMV and Liberato, SFDS and Marcucci, MC and Vigerelli, H and Rodrigues, FP and Pacheco-Soares, C and Godoi, BH and Carrouel, F and de Oliveira, LD and Ramos, LP},
title = {Gymnema sylvestre as a Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Biofilm Agent Against Anaerobic Infections: An In Vitro Study.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {40006756},
issn = {2223-7747},
abstract = {This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the glycolic extract of G. sylvestre against anaerobic pathogens, along with its cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant effects, and phytochemical composition. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, while the antioxidant effect was assessed through a DPPH assay. Antimicrobial action was tested on planktonic cultures and biofilms of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Parvimonas micra, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7), rat fibroblasts (L929), and human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Anti-inflammatory effects were measured by an immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) on RAW 264.7 cells. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The extract demonstrated a reduction of over 95% in biofilms of P. gingivalis, P. micra, and F. nucleatum within 5 min of treatment. Cell viability (HaCaT) remained above 80%. Antioxidant activity showed an EC50 of 353.43 µg/mL, achieving a 50% reduction in free radicals. A significant decrease in TNF-α (a pro-inflammatory cytokine) and an increase in IL-10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine) were observed. In conclusion, the extract of G. sylvestre exhibits promising potential as a therapeutic agent for treating anaerobic infections, inflammation, and oxidative stress.},
}

@article {pmid40006039,
year = {2025},
author = {Dzalamidze, E and Gorzynski, M and Vande Voorde, R and Nelson, D and Danelishvili, L},
title = {Discovery of Biofilm-Inhibiting Compounds to Enhance Antibiotic Effectiveness Against M. abscessus Infections.},
journal = {Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {18},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {40006039},
issn = {1424-8247},
support = {1R15AI142609-01A1/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB) is a highly resilient pathogen that causes difficult-to-treat pulmonary infections, particularly in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and other underlying conditions. Its ability to form robust biofilms within the CF lung environment is a major factor contributing to its resistance to antibiotics and evasion of the host immune response, making conventional treatments largely ineffective. These biofilms, encased in an extracellular matrix, enhance drug tolerance and facilitate metabolic adaptations in hypoxic conditions, driving the bacteria into a persistent, non-replicative state that further exacerbates antimicrobial resistance. Treatment options remain limited, with multidrug regimens showing low success rates, highlighting the urgent need for more effective therapeutic strategies. Methods: In this study, we employed artificial sputum media to simulate the CF lung environment and conducted high-throughput screening of 24,000 compounds from diverse chemical libraries to identify inhibitors of MAB biofilm formation, using the Crystal Violet (CV) assay. Results: The screen established 17 hits with ≥30% biofilm inhibitory activity in mycobacteria. Six of these compounds inhibited MAB biofilm formation by over 60%, disrupted established biofilms by ≥40%, and significantly impaired bacterial viability within the biofilms, as confirmed by reduced CFU counts. In conformational assays, select compounds showed potent inhibitory activity in biofilms formed by clinical isolates of both MAB and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH). Key compounds, including ethacridine, phenothiazine, and fluorene derivatives, demonstrated potent activity against pre- and post-biofilm conditions, enhanced antibiotic efficacy, and reduced intracellular bacterial loads in macrophages. Conclusions: This study results underscore the potential of these compounds to target biofilm-associated resistance mechanisms, making them valuable candidates for use as adjuncts to existing therapies. These findings also emphasize the need for further investigations, including the initiation of a medicinal chemistry campaign to leverage structure-activity relationship studies and optimize the biological activity of these underexplored class of compounds against nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) strains.},
}

@article {pmid40005975,
year = {2025},
author = {Codru, IR and Vintilă, BI and Bereanu, AS and Sava, M and Popa, LM and Birlutiu, V},
title = {Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Biofilm Analysis via Sonication in Intensive Care Unit Patients at a County Emergency Hospital in Romania.},
journal = {Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {18},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ph18020161},
pmid = {40005975},
issn = {1424-8247},
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a critical challenge in ICU settings, often driven by the biofilm-mediated bacterial colonization of endotracheal tubes (ETTs). This study investigates antimicrobial resistance patterns and biofilm dynamics in ICU patients, focusing on microbial colonization and resistance trends in tracheal aspirates and endotracheal tube biofilms at a county emergency hospital in Romania. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal analysis of ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h. Tracheal aspirates and ETT biofilms were collected at three key time points: T1 (baseline), T2 (48 h post-intubation with ETT replacement), and T3 (92-100 h post-T2); these were analyzed using sonication and microbiological techniques to assess microbial colonization and antimicrobial resistance patterns. Results: In a total of 30 patients, bacteria from the ESKAPEE group (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus) dominated the microbiota, increasing their prevalence over time. Resistance to carbapenems, colistin, and vancomycin was notably observed, particularly among K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii. Biofilm analysis revealed high persistence rates and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, underscoring the role of ETTs as reservoirs for resistant pathogens. The replacement of ETTs at T2 correlated with a shift in microbial composition and reduced biofilm-associated contamination. Conclusions: This study highlights the temporal evolution of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-associated colonization in a limited number of ICU patients (30 patients). The findings support implementing routine ETT management strategies, including scheduled replacements and advanced biofilm-disruption techniques, to mitigate VAP risk and improve patient outcomes.},
}

@article {pmid40005812,
year = {2025},
author = {Lira, RLS and Nogueira, FAB and Campos, RFPC and Ferreira, DRM and Roxo, PLBT and de Azevedo, CCS and Gimenes, ECM and Bastos, RLC and Nascimento, CEC and Nunes, FDO and Marques, MCP and Campos, CDL and Martinez, CG and Zagmignan, A and Silva, LCN and Ribeiro, RM and de Azevedo Dos Santos, APS and Carvalho, RC and de Sousa, EM},
title = {Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense: Biofilm Formation, Host Immune Response, and Therapeutic Strategies.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13020447},
pmid = {40005812},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {FAPEMA: ACT-02510/23//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão/ ; Universal-06536/22//Ceuma University/ ; },
abstract = {Infection by Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense poses a growing public health threat, especially to immunocompromised individuals. The pathogenicity of this mycobacterium is directly linked to its ability to form biofilms, complex structures that confer resistance to antibiotics and the host immune response. The extracellular matrix of the biofilm acts as a physical barrier, hindering the penetration of drugs and the action of the immune system, while also inducing a slow-growth state that reduces susceptibility to antibiotics. Current therapies, which involve prolonged use of multiple antibiotics, are often ineffective and cause significant side effects. Therefore, it is essential to explore new strategies targeting bacterial resistance and biofilm destruction. This narrative review explores the biofilm-forming capacity of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense and the potential of novel therapeutic strategies. Promising approaches include inhibiting biofilm formation, developing drugs with improved penetration of the extracellular matrix, combination therapies with agents that destabilize the biofilm structure, and modulating the host immune response. Investing in research and development of new therapeutic strategies is essential to combat this resistant bacterium and improve patient outcomes.},
}

@article {pmid40005730,
year = {2025},
author = {Leroy, G and Parizadeh, L and Cuny, H and Offret, C and Protat, M and Bazire, A and Rodrigues, S and Le Chevalier, P and Brillet, B and Gonzalez-Araya, R and Jégou, C and Fleury, Y},
title = {Pseudoalteromonas Strains as Biofilm Control Agents in Ostrea edulis Aquaculture: Reducing Biofilm Biovolume While Preserving Microbial Diversity.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13020363},
pmid = {40005730},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Biofilms in aquaculture tanks pose significant challenges, hindering cleaning processes and contributing to antibiotic resistance. This study investigated the effects of four Pseudoalteromonas strains on flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) rearing, with a specific focus on biofilm control and microbial communities. After confirming the safety of these strains for O. edulis, we monitored biofilm development and bacterial communities during a 4-month sexual maturation period. Biofilm biovolume was quantified using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and bacterial community composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding of both biofilm and seawater samples. Our results revealed differences in bacterial community structure between biofilms and seawater. Furthermore, the presence of specific Pseudoalteromonas strains significantly impacted the composition of bacterial communities within the tanks. β-diversity analyses demonstrated that each strain exerted a unique influence on the bacterial community structure. Some Pseudoalteromonas strains effectively reduced biofilm biovolume without negatively impacting bacterial richness or diversity. These observations suggest that certain Pseudoalteromonas strains can effectively control biofilm formation while maintaining a diverse and potentially beneficial microbial community in O. edulis rearing tanks. The use of these strains as additives in aquaculture systems could offer several advantages, including reduced cleaning time and costs and a potential decrease in biocide usage.},
}

@article {pmid40005603,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, T and Pei, Z and Wang, H and Zhao, J and Chen, W and Lu, W},
title = {Combined Analysis of Transcriptomes and Metabolomes Reveals Key Genes and Substances That Affect the Formation of a Multi-Species Biofilm by Nine Gut Bacteria.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13020234},
pmid = {40005603},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {No. 32172216//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; No. 2022YFF1100203//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; },
abstract = {Biofilms are one of the ways microorganisms exist in natural environments. In recent years, research has gradually shifted its focus to exploring the complexity and interactions of multi-species biofilms. A study showed that nine gut bacteria can form a multi-species biofilm on wheat fibers (M9 biofilm). However, the previous study did not clarify the reasons why M9 exhibited a better biofilm formation ability than the mono-species biofilms. In this study, the gene expression levels and metabolic accumulation of the M9 multi-species biofilm and biofilms of each individual bacterium were analyzed using transcriptomes and metabolomes. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that there were 740 common DEGs that existed in all of the nine groups, and they could regulate five pathways related to bacterial motility, cellular communication, and signal transduction. The metabolome results revealed that many peptides/amino acids and derivatives were produced in the M9 biofilm. Furthermore, purine metabolism was significantly enhanced in the M9 biofilm. L-arginine, l-serine, guanosine, and hypoxanthine were the common differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). The combined analysis of the transcriptomes and metabolomes showed that there were 26 common DEGs highly correlated with the four common DAMs, and they were involved in five metabolic pathways related to amino acids and purines. These results indicate that M9 can regulate multi-species biofilm formation by modulating genes related to bacterial motility, cellular communication, signal transduction, and the metabolism of amino acids and purines. This study provides insights into the interactions of microbial biofilms.},
}

@article {pmid40002146,
year = {2025},
author = {Fan, Q and Ning, M and Zeng, X and He, X and Bai, Z and Gu, S and Yuan, Y and Yue, T},
title = {Anti-Vibrio parahaemolyticus Mechanism of Hexanal and Its Inhibitory Effect on Biofilm Formation.},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/foods14040703},
pmid = {40002146},
issn = {2304-8158},
support = {1348009//Doctor Scientific Research Start-up Fund of Henan University of Science and Technology/ ; 25A550011//Key Research Project Plan for Higher Education Institutions in Henan Province/ ; },
abstract = {Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) is one of the most prevalent foodborne pathogens worldwide. Hexanal is a natural aldehyde derived from plants. In this study, the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of hexanal against V. parahaemolyticus were investigated. Hexanal inhibited V. parahaemolyticus growth with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.4 mg/mL. Hexanal (2 MIC and 4 MIC) increased the leakage of protein and lactic dehydrogenase, reduced intracellular ATP concentration, damaged membrane integrity, and induced abnormal V. parahaemolyticus morphology and ultrastructure. The results of colony enumeration suggested that hexanal exhibited bactericidal action against V. parahaemolyticus in different culture mediums and food systems (Spanish mackerel meat and shrimp paste). At 1/8 MIC and 1/4 MIC, hexanal inhibited biofilm formation of V. parahaemolyticus, as evidenced by crystal violet staining assay and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation. Moreover, hexanal reduced the levels of extracellular polysaccharide, extracellular protein, and cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) in V. parahaemolyticus. The result of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) indicated that hexanal downregulated the expression of genes critical to V. parahaemolyticus biofilm development. This study provides a promising alternative for V. parahaemolyticus control and is conducive to promoting the application of hexanal in the food field.},
}

@article {pmid40001933,
year = {2025},
author = {Almatroudi, A},
title = {Biofilm Resilience: Molecular Mechanisms Driving Antibiotic Resistance in Clinical Contexts.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology14020165},
pmid = {40001933},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {(QU-APC-2025)//Qassim University/ ; },
abstract = {Healthcare-associated infections pose a significant global health challenge, negatively impacting patient outcomes and burdening healthcare systems. A major contributing factor to healthcare-associated infections is the formation of biofilms, structured microbial communities encased in a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance matrix. Biofilms are critical in disease etiology and antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment and infection control efforts. Their inherent resistance mechanisms enable them to withstand antibiotic therapies, leading to recurrent infections and increased morbidity. This review explores the development of biofilms and their dual roles in health and disease. It highlights the structural and protective functions of the EPS matrix, which shields microbial populations from immune responses and antimicrobial agents. Key molecular mechanisms of biofilm resistance, including restricted antibiotic penetration, persister cell dormancy, and genetic adaptations, are identified as significant barriers to effective management. Biofilms are implicated in various clinical contexts, including chronic wounds, medical device-associated infections, oral health complications, and surgical site infections. Their prevalence in hospital environments exacerbates infection control challenges and underscores the urgent need for innovative preventive and therapeutic strategies. This review evaluates cutting-edge approaches such as DNase-mediated biofilm disruption, RNAIII-inhibiting peptides, DNABII proteins, bacteriophage therapies, antimicrobial peptides, nanoparticle-based solutions, antimicrobial coatings, and antimicrobial lock therapies. It also examines critical challenges associated with biofilm-related healthcare-associated infections, including diagnostic difficulties, disinfectant resistance, and economic implications. This review emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach and underscores the importance of understanding biofilm dynamics, their role in disease pathogenesis, and the advancements in therapeutic strategies to combat biofilm-associated infections effectively in clinical settings. These insights aim to enhance treatment outcomes and reduce the burden of biofilm-related diseases.},
}

@article {pmid40001569,
year = {2025},
author = {Fareid, MA and El-Sherbiny, GM and Askar, AA and Abdelaziz, AM and Hegazy, AM and Ab Aziz, R and Hamada, FA},
title = {Impeding Biofilm-Forming Mediated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Virulence Genes Using a Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles-Antibiotic Combination.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biom15020266},
pmid = {40001569},
issn = {2218-273X},
support = {RG-24 070.//Scientific Research Deanship at University of Ha'il - Saudi Arabia/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/genetics ; *Silver/pharmacology/chemistry ; *Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry ; Humans ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Oxacillin/pharmacology ; Streptomyces/genetics/metabolism ; Virulence/drug effects/genetics ; },
abstract = {Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to represent a significant clinical challenge, characterized by consistently elevated rates of morbidity and mortality. Care regimen success is still difficult and necessitates assessing new antibiotics as well as supplemental services, including source control and searching for alternative approaches to combating it. Hence, we propose to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) by employing a cell-free filter (CFF) of Streptomyces sp. to augment antibiotic activity and combat biofilm-forming MRSA. Seven bacterial isolates from clinical samples were identified, antibiotics were profiled with Vitek-2, and the phenotypic detecting of biofilm with Congo red medium and microplate assay was carried out. The PCR technique was used for detecting genes (icaA and icaD) coded in biofilm forming. The characterization of Ag-NPs was performed using several analytical methods, such as UV spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antibacterial properties of Ag-NPs and oxacillin-Ag-NPs were assessed against standard strains and clinical isolates by employing the agar well diffusion technique and the microdilution assay. The biogenic synthesis Ag-NPs resulted in uniformly spherical particles, with an average size of 20 nm. These Ag-NPs demonstrated significant activity against biofilm-forming MRSA, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 12 to 15 μg/mL. Additionally, Ag-NPs completely impede biofilm formation by MRSA at sublethal doses of 0.75 MICs. The expression levels of the icaA and icaD genes were reduced by 1.9- to 2.2- and 2.4- to 2.8-fold, respectively. A significant synergistic effect was noted when Ag-NPs were used in combination with oxacillin, leading to reduced MICs of 1.87 μg/mL for oxacillin and 4.0 μg/mL for Ag-NPs against MRSA. The FICi of 0.375 further validated the synergistic relationship between oxacillin and Ag-NPs at the concentrations of 1.87 and 4 μg/mL. Findings from the time-kill test demonstrated the highest reduction in log10 (CFU)/mL of the initial MRSA inoculum after 12-hour exposure. The cytotoxicity analysis of Ag-NPs revealed no significant cytotoxic effects on the human skin cell line HFB-4 at low concentrations, with IC50 values of 61.40 µg/mL for HFB-4 and 34.2 µg/mL for HepG-2. Comparable with oxacillin-Ag-NPs, Ag-NPs showed no cytotoxic effects on HFB-4 at different concentrations and exhibited an IC50 value of 31.2 against HepG-2-cells. In conclusion, the biosynthesis of Ag-NPs has demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against MRSA and has completely hindered biofilm formation, suggesting a valuable alternative for clinical applications.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/genetics
*Silver/pharmacology/chemistry
*Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry
Humans
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Oxacillin/pharmacology
Streptomyces/genetics/metabolism
Virulence/drug effects/genetics

@article {pmid40001426,
year = {2025},
author = {Andrade, M and Neves, J and Bento, M and Marques, J and Seabra, SG and Silveira, H and Rodrigues, L and Armada, A and Viveiros, M and Couto, I and Costa, SS},
title = {Evaluation of Amlodipine and Imipramine Efficacy to Treat Galleria mellonella Infection by Biofilm-Producing and Antimicrobial-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antibiotics14020183},
pmid = {40001426},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {LA/P/0117/2020//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; UIDB/04413/2020//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; 2022.07931.PTDC//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; UI/BD/154472/2022//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; CEECIND/00450/2017/CP1415/CT0001//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; CEECINST/00102/2018/CP1567/CT0040//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; CEECINST/00042/2021/CP1773/CT0009//Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a growing threat to human health for which alternative therapeutic options are needed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of amlodipine (AML) and imipramine (IMI) to treat S. aureus infection in the Galleria mellonella larval model by targeting efflux and biofilms, which are relevant contributors to antimicrobial resistance and virulence in S. aureus. Methods: In-house reared G. mellonella were used in virulence assays to determine the infective dose of two S. aureus strains differing in the expression of norA (gene encoding the native NorA efflux pump). Toxicology assays were conducted to determine the drugs' LD50 for G. mellonella. Drug efficacy assays were performed to evaluate the potential of amlodipine, imipramine and the control drugs ciprofloxacin (CIP) and enalapril (ENA) to clear S. aureus infection in G. mellonella. Results: Survival analysis defined the infective dose as 1 × 10[7] CFU/larva for both strains. High LD50 values were determined (CIP: >1000 mg/kg; AML: >640 mg/kg; IMI: 1141 mg/kg; ENA: >1280 mg/kg), revealing a high tolerance of G. mellonella to these drugs. AML at 15 mg/kg and IMI at 100 mg/kg increased the larvae survival by 20% (p = 0.04) and 11% (p = 0.11), respectively, also positively affecting health score indexes. In agreement with the literature, ciprofloxacin at >100 mg/kg promoted larvae survival by >73%. Conclusions: Amlodipine and imipramine show mild potential as new therapeutic options for managing S. aureus infections but are promising as new lead molecules. This study also reinforces G. mellonella as a sustainable, reliable model for drug evaluation.},
}

@article {pmid40001424,
year = {2025},
author = {Barak, TH and Eryilmaz, M and Karaca, B and Servi, H and Kara Ertekin, S and Dinc, M and Ustuner, H},
title = {Antimicrobial, Anti-Biofilm, Anti-Quorum Sensing and Cytotoxic Activities of Thymbra spicata L. subsp. spicata Essential Oils.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antibiotics14020181},
pmid = {40001424},
issn = {2079-6382},
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Essential oils of Thymbra spicata subsp. spicata are known for their rich phytochemical content and bioactive properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing, as well as the cytotoxic activities of T. spicata subsp. spicata essential oils (TS-EO1 and TS-EO2) obtained from two different localities in Türkiye, along with a detailed chemical composition analysis. Methods: TS-EO1 and TS-EO2 were obtained by the hydrodistillation method and analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine their phytochemical profiles. Antimicrobial activities were assessed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungal strains were assessed using the broth microdilution method. Anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities were evaluated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472, respectively. Cytotoxic properties were tested on four cell lines (A549, MCF-7, U87MG, and L929) using the MTT assay. Results: Both essential oil samples were rich in carvacrol (54.3% and 54.1%), followed by p-cymene and γ-terpinene. The essential oils exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (6.25 mg/mL) and Candida parapsilosis (0.20 mg/mL). Sub-MIC concentrations significantly inhibited biofilm formation and quorum sensing. Both samples showed moderate cytotoxic properties against human cancer cell lines, particularly A549 (IC50: 116.3 and 134.4 μg/mL, respectively). Conclusions: This study showed that T. spicata subsp. spicata essential oils have significant antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-quorum sensing properties against various bacteria and fungi, along with moderate cytotoxic effects, indicating their medicinal and pharmaceutical potentials. This is the first study which revealed anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing properties of T. spicata essential oils to our knowledge.},
}

@article {pmid40001401,
year = {2025},
author = {Wintachai, P and Santini, JM and Thonguppatham, R and Stroyakovski, M and Surachat, K and Atipairin, A},
title = {Isolation, Characterization, and Anti-Biofilm Activity of a Novel Kaypoctavirus Against K24 Capsular Type, Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antibiotics14020157},
pmid = {40001401},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {Grant No. RSPG-WU-09/2567 and Contract Number WU-CIA-00902/2024//The Plant Genetic Conservation Project under The Royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG-WU-09/2567) and The International Research Collaboration Scheme (WU-CIA-00902/2024), Walailak University/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: The significant outbreak of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a primary global concern associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Certain strains of K. pneumoniae are highly resistant to most antibiotics available in clinical practice, exacerbating the challenge of bacterial infections. Methods: Phage vB_KpnP_PW7 (vKPPW7) was isolated and characterized. Its morphology, stability, adsorption rate, one-step growth curve, lytic activity, whole-genome sequence analysis, and antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were evaluated. Results: The virulent phage has a 73,658 bp linear dsDNA genome and was classified as a new species of the genus Kaypoctavirus, subfamily Enquatrovirinae, and family Schitoviridae. Phage vKPPW7 has a high adsorption rate, a short latent period, and a large burst size. The phage showed activity against 18 K. pneumoniae isolates with the K24 capsular type but was unable to lyse K. pneumoniae isolates whose capsular type was not classified as K24. Additionally, phage vKPPW7 demonstrated strong stability across various temperatures and pH values. The phage exhibited antibacterial activity, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed its ability to lyse MDR K. pneumoniae with the K24 capsular type. Furthermore, phage vKPPW7 effectively removed preformed biofilm and prevented biofilm formation, resulting in reduced biofilm biomass and biofilm viability compared to controls. The architecture of phage-treated biofilms was confirmed under SEM. Conclusions: These findings suggest that phage vKPPW7 holds promise for development as a therapeutic or biocontrol agent.},
}

@article {pmid40001359,
year = {2025},
author = {Tabassum, N and Khan, F and Jeong, GJ and Oh, DK and Kim, YM},
title = {Controlling Oral Polymicrobial Biofilm Using Usnic Acid on the Surface of Titanium in the Artificial Saliva Media.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antibiotics14020115},
pmid = {40001359},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {2022R1A2B5B01001998 and RS-2023-00241461//Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea grant funded by the Ministry of Education/ ; 202416570001//Research Grant of Pukyong National University/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Titanium dental implants, while highly successful, face challenges due to polymicrobial infections leading to peri-implantitis and implant failure. Biofilm formation on implant surfaces is the primary cause of these infections, with factors such as matrix production and cross-kingdom interactions contributing to the microbial accumulation of bacterial and fungal pathogens species. To combat this issue, naturally derived molecules have been reported to overcome the hurdle of antimicrobial resistance against the application of conventional antibiotics and antifungals. Methods: The present study aimed to employ the lichen-derived molecules, usnic acid (UA), to retard the development of biofilms of bacterial and fungal pathogens on the surface of titanium kept in the human artificial saliva (HAS) working as a growth-supporting, host-mimicking media. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration of UA in HAS towards Candida albicans was >512 µg/mL, whereas against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans, it was determined to be 512 µg/mL. Whereas, in the standard growth media, the MIC value of UA towards S. mutans and S. aureus were 8 and 16 µg/mL; however, against C. albicans, it was 512 µg/mL. UA synergistically enhanced the efficacy of the antibiotics toward bacterial pathogens and the efficacy of antifungals against C. albicans. The antibiofilm results depict the fact that in the HAS, UA significantly reduced both mono-species of S. mutans, S. aureus, and C. albicans and mixed-species biofilm of C. albicans with S. mutans and S. aureus on the surface of the titanium. Conclusions: The present study showed that UA is a promising natural drug that can control oral polymicrobial disease as a result of the application of dental implants.},
}

@article {pmid39998686,
year = {2025},
author = {Scala, V and Salustri, M and Merfa, MV and Beccaccioli, M and Lascala, L and De La Fuente, L and Reverberi, M},
title = {XadA-like adhesin XADA2 regulates biofilm formation in X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa putatively by engaging oleic-acid derived oxylipins.},
journal = {Molecular biology reports},
volume = {52},
number = {1},
pages = {263},
pmid = {39998686},
issn = {1573-4978},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; *Adhesins, Bacterial/metabolism/genetics ; *Xylella/genetics/physiology/metabolism/pathogenicity ; *Oleic Acid/metabolism ; *Oxylipins/metabolism ; Bacterial Adhesion ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Nicotiana/microbiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The oxylipins 10-HpOME and 7,10-DiHoME derive from oleic acid and have been extensively studied for their ability to regulate contractions, microcolony formation and biofilm formation in the model organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca strain de Donno has been reported to produce 10-HpOME and 7,10-DiHOME in vivo when inoculated in the model plant Nicotiana tabacum or in naturally occurring infected olive trees. In this study, we deciphered the relationship among cell adhesion and oxylipins in Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa (Temecula1 strain) and subsp. multiplex (AlmaEM3 strain). The role of the PD0744 gene, encoding for XadA2, a non-fimbrial adhesin belonging to the trimeric autotransporter family, probably involved in the surface attachment required in the initial phase of biofilm formation was investigated. PD0744 deletion mutants in two X. fastidiosa strains were generated, through homologous recombination, and the impact of its deletion on bacterial lifestyle was assessed. In vitro assays were performed to characterize the mutant phenotype, particularly in twitching motility and its capability to grow and form biofilm. Mutants showed a reduced twitching motility and biofilm formation compared to wild type strains. HPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed a decrease in 7,10-DiHOME production together with an increase of its precursor 10-HpOME in the mutants.

CONCLUSIONS: 7,10-DiHOME could be a crucial signaling molecule to promote biofilm formation and twitching motility, whose synthesis likely depends on a signal transduction requiring the presence of the adhesin XadA2 and thus not working if this protein is depleted. These results help understanding the complex regulation of biofilm formation in this devastating pathogen.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
*Adhesins, Bacterial/metabolism/genetics
*Xylella/genetics/physiology/metabolism/pathogenicity
*Oleic Acid/metabolism
*Oxylipins/metabolism
Bacterial Adhesion
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Nicotiana/microbiology

@article {pmid39998317,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, J and Yu, G and Fang, Q and Xu, Y and Zhang, J and Hui, A and Xuan, S and Leung, KC},
title = {Hollow-Structured Nanorobot with Excellent Magnetic Propulsion for Catalytic Pollutant Degradation, Anti-Bacterial and Biofilm Removal.},
journal = {Advanced healthcare materials},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2404208},
doi = {10.1002/adhm.202404208},
pmid = {39998317},
issn = {2192-2659},
support = {12072338//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; S202305a12020030//Key Project of Anhui Province Science and Technology Innovation Platform/ ; Hwk2022zc044//Applied Medical Research Project of Hefei Health Commission/ ; RMGS-2022-13-07//Hong Kong Baptist University/ ; },
abstract = {Chemical pollution, pathogenic bacteria, and bacterial biofilms pose significant threats to public health. Although various nanoplatforms with both catalytic and antibacterial activities have been developed, creating a remotely controllable nanorobot with precise targeting and propulsion capabilities remains a challenge. This study presents the fabrication of a hollow-structured Fe3O4@AgAu@polydopamine (PDA) nanosphere, which demonstrated controllable catalytic activity and superior magnetically enhanced antibacterial and biofilm removal properties. The AgAu bimetallic nanorods are assembled between the Fe3O4 core and the biocompatible PDA, resulting in a magnetic nanorobot with high photothermal conversion efficiency (54%) and excellent catalytic activity. Importantly, due to the efficient propulsion behavior originating from the magnetic Fe3O4, organic pollutants such as 4-nitrophenol and methylene blue can be accurately degraded by the catalytic Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA magnetic nanorobots in a simulated wastewater pool. By incorporating the zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) photosensitizer, the Fe3O4@AgAu@PDA-ZnPc nanosphere exhibits a synergistic "photothermal-photodynamic-Ag[+]" antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Remarkably, the antibacterial rate can be enhanced to 99.99% by applying magnetic propulsion via a rotating magnetic field (RMF). Furthermore, this unique magnetic propulsion endows the nanorobot with effective biofilm removal capabilities in both flat surfaces and tubular structures, highlighting its advantages over traditional antibacterial agents in dynamic removal applications.},
}

@article {pmid39998256,
year = {2025},
author = {Williams, I and Tuckerman, JS and Peters, DI and Bangs, M and Williams, E and Shin, IJ and Kaspar, JR},
title = {A strain of Streptococcus mitis inhibits biofilm formation of caries pathogens via abundant hydrogen peroxide production.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0219224},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02192-24},
pmid = {39998256},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {Commensal oral streptococci that colonize supragingival biofilms deploy mechanisms to combat competitors within their niche. Here, we determined that Streptococcus mitis more effectively inhibited biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans compared to other oral streptococci. This phenotype was common among all isolates of S. mutans, but was specific to a single strain of S. mitis, ATCC 49456. We documented ATCC 49456 to accumulate four to five times more hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) than other Streptococcus species tested, and 5-18 times more than other S. mitis strains assayed. S. mutans biofilm formation inhibition was dependent on cell contact/proximity and reduced when grown in media containing catalase or with a S. mitis mutant of pyruvate oxidase (spxB; pox), confirming that SpxB-dependent H2O2 production was a major antagonistic factor. Addition of S. mitis within hours after S. mutans inoculation was effective at reducing biofilm biomass, but not for 24 h pre-formed biofilms in an SpxB-dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis revealed responses for both S. mitis and S. mutans, with several S. mutans differentially expressed genes following a gene expression pattern we have previously described, while others being unique to the interaction with S. mitis. Finally, we show that S. mitis also affected coculture biofilm formation of several other commensal streptococci as well as cariogenic Streptococcus sobrinus. Our study shows that strains with abundant H2O2 production are effective at inhibiting initial growth of caries pathogens like S. mutans, but are less effective at disrupting pre-formed biofilms and have the potential to influence the stability of other oral commensal strains.IMPORTANCEAntagonistic properties displayed by oral bacteria have been sought as therapeutic approaches against dental caries pathogens like Streptococcus mutans. An emergent theme has been the ability of select strains that produce high amounts of hydrogen peroxide to effectively inhibit the growth of S. mutans within in vitro and in vivo models. Our study builds on these previous findings by determining that Streptococcus mitis ATCC 49456 is a high hydrogen peroxide producer, compared to other Streptococcus species as well as additional strains of S. mitis. In addition to S. mutans, we show that ATCC 49456 also affects biofilm formation of other oral streptococci, a non-desirable trait that should be weighed heavily for strains under consideration as probiotics. Further phenotypic characterization of strains like S. mitis ATCC 49456 in mixed-species settings will allow us to hone in on qualities that are optimal for probiotic strains that are intended to prevent the emergence of odontopathogens.},
}

@article {pmid39998206,
year = {2025},
author = {Zarnowski, R and Horton, MV and Johnson, CJ and Vang, PC and Uram, J and Fernando, LDP and Vlach, J and Heiss, C and Azadi, P and Nett, JE and Andes, DR},
title = {Dual function of Candida auris mannosyltransferase, MTN5, in biofilm community protection from antifungal therapy and the host.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0034625},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.00346-25},
pmid = {39998206},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Screen of mutants from a mannosyltransferase family identified the importance of MNT5 for C. auris biofilm drug resistance and neutrophil evasion. Biochemical analysis of the mnt5∆ mutant matrix and cell wall identified alterations in the mannan structures. Resistance and matrix for mnt5∆ were restored with delivery of wild-type matrix via extracellular vesicles. Analysis of the mnt5∆ cell wall revealed a reduction in mannan and compensatory increase in cell surface glucan and chitin, suggesting a role for MNT5 in mannan masking of pathogen-associated molecular patterns.

IMPORTANCE: C. auris recalcitrance is linked to biofilm drug resistance and immune evasion. The mannosyltransferase encoded by MNT5 is necessary for both phenotypes and may serve as a useful therapeutic target.},
}

@article {pmid39997604,
year = {2025},
author = {Costa, TL and Puppin-Rontani, RM and de Castilho, ARF},
title = {Preventing Oral Dual Biofilm Development with Innovative Bioactive Varnishes.},
journal = {Journal of functional biomaterials},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {39997604},
issn = {2079-4983},
support = {124247/2019-9//National Council for Scientific and Technological Development/ ; 443036/2014-4//National Council for Scientific and Technological Development/ ; 2014/01723-9//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; Finance Code 001//Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior/ ; },
abstract = {This study introduces innovative varnishes incorporating natural bioactive compounds to inhibit the formation of oral dual biofilms, a critical contributor to dental caries and other oral diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bioactive varnishes containing tt-farnesol, quercetin, and theobromine in inhibiting the formation of mixed Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans biofilms. Mixed biofilms of Streptococcus mutans UA159 and Candida albicans SC5314 were grown in 96-well plates containing a specialized culture medium. Approximately 0.2 mL of experimental varnishes with A-1.5% or B-4.5% concentrations of tt-farnesol, quercetin, and theobromine were separately added to the wells using a disposable applicator, with a vehicle varnish (lacking bioactives) serving as the control. Biofilms were incubated at 37 °C with 5% CO2 for 24 h. Microbial viability was determined in terms of colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL), and biofilm morphology was evaluated qualitatively via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA/Tukey tests at a 5% significance level. Varnishes A and B achieved significant reductions in microbial populations within the biofilms (p < 0.05) compared to the vehicle control (C). SEM imaging revealed marked structural disruptions in the biofilms, validating the quantitative results. Higher bioactive concentrations demonstrated enhanced inhibitory effects. Bioactive varnishes enriched with theobromine, quercetin, and tt-farnesol represent a novel and effective strategy for inhibiting oral dual biofilm development, offering a promising advancement in preventive dentistry.},
}

@article {pmid39997574,
year = {2025},
author = {Franović, B and Čandrlić, M and Blašković, M and Renko, I and Komar Milas, K and Markova-Car, EP and Mohar Vitezić, B and Gabrić, D and Gobin, I and Vranić, SM and Perić Kačarević, Ž and Peloza, OC},
title = {The Microbial Diversity and Biofilm Characteristics of d-PTFE Membranes Used for Socket Preservation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.},
journal = {Journal of functional biomaterials},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {39997574},
issn = {2079-4983},
support = {IP-2020-02-7875//Croatian science fond/ ; UNIRI-iskusni-biomed-23-167//University of Rijeka/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Understanding microbial colonization on different membranes is critical for guided bone regeneration procedures such as socket preservation, as biofilm formation may affect healing and clinical outcomes. This randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) investigates, for the first time, the microbiome of two different high-density polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membranes that are used in socket preservation on a highly molecular level and in vivo.

METHODS: This RCT enrolled 39 participants, with a total of 48 extraction sites, requiring subsequent implant placement. Sites were assigned to two groups, each receiving socket grafting with a composite bone graft (50% autogenous bone, 50% bovine xenograft) and covered by either a permamem[®] (group P) or a Cytoplast™ (group C). The membranes were removed after four weeks and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for bacterial adherence, qPCR for bacterial species quantification, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) for microbial diversity and composition assessment.

RESULTS: The four-week healing period was uneventful in both groups. The SEM analysis revealed multispecies biofilms on both membranes, with membranes from group C showing a denser extracellular matrix compared with membranes from group P. The qPCR analysis indicated a higher overall bacterial load on group C membranes. The NGS demonstrated significantly higher alpha diversity on group C membranes, while beta diversity indicated comparable microbiota compositions between the groups.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the distinct microbial profiles of two d-PTFE membranes during the four-week socket preservation period. Therefore, the membrane type and design do, indeed, influence the biofilm composition and microbial diversity. These findings may have implications for healing outcomes and the risk of infection in the dental implant bed and should therefore be further explored.},
}

@article {pmid39996995,
year = {2025},
author = {Netsch, A and Sen, S and Horn, H and Wagner, M},
title = {In Situ Biofilm Monitoring Using a Heat Transfer Sensor: The Impact of Flow Velocity in a Pipe and Planar System.},
journal = {Biosensors},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {39996995},
issn = {2079-6374},
support = {02WER1531//Federal Ministry of Education and Research/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms ; *Biosensing Techniques ; Hot Temperature ; Hydrodynamics ; Models, Theoretical ; },
abstract = {Industrially applied bioelectrochemical systems require long-term stable operation, and hence the control of biofilm accumulation on the electrodes. An optimized application of biofilm control mechanisms presupposes on-line, in-situ monitoring of the accumulated biofilm. Heat transfer sensors have successfully been integrated into industrial systems for on-line, non-invasive monitoring of biofilms. In this study, a mathematical model for the description of the sensitivity of a heat transfer biofilm sensor was developed, incorporating the hydrodynamic conditions of the fluid and the geometrical properties of the substratum. This model was experimentally validated at different flow velocities by integrating biofilm sensors into cylindrical pipes and planar mesofluidic flow cells with a carbonaceous substratum. Dimensionless sensor readings were correlated with the mean biovolume measured gravimetrically, and optical coherence tomography was used to determine the sensors' sensitivity. The biofilm sensors applied in the planar flow cells revealed an increase in sensitivity by a factor of 6 compared to standard stainless steel pipes, as well as improved sensitivity at higher flow velocities.},
}

*Biofilms
*Biosensing Techniques
Hot Temperature
Hydrodynamics
Models, Theoretical

@article {pmid39996440,
year = {2025},
author = {Pan, G and Zheng, J and Li, Z and Duan, Q and Zhang, M and Wang, D},
title = {Dual-responsive polydopamine-embellished Zn-MOFs enabling synergistic photothermal and antibacterial metal ion therapy for oral biofilm eradication.},
journal = {Journal of materials chemistry. B},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1039/d4tb02427c},
pmid = {39996440},
issn = {2050-7518},
abstract = {Oral biofilms are associated with various oral diseases causing pain and discomfort, and pose a severe threat to general health. Conventional surgical debridement and antibacterial therapy often yield unsatisfactory outcomes because they either fail to fully and painlessly eliminate biofilms or increase the risk of bacterial resistance. In this study, we synthesized polydopamine-embellished Zn-MOFs (ZIF-8@PDA NPs), which can degrade under mildly acidic conditions to release Zn[2+]. These nanoparticles also convert near-infrared light energy into heat, thereby enabling synergistic photothermal and antibacterial metal ion therapy for oral biofilm eradication. Our findings reveal that therapy with ZIF-8@PDA NPs, when exposed to near-infrared radiation, demonstrates exceptional antibacterial efficacy and is highly effective in eradicating oral biofilms both in vitro and ex vivo. Furthermore, we used an in vivo rodent tooth biofilm model to demonstrate the suppression of dental caries. This work presents a promising solution for preventing and suppressing dental caries as well as other treating diseases linked to oral biofilm infections.},
}

@article {pmid39996424,
year = {2025},
author = {Ma, W and Luo, J and Liu, H and Du, Q and Hao, T and Jiang, Y and Huang, Z and Lan, L and Li, Z and Li, T},
title = {Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Highly O-Glycosylated MUC7 Glycopeptides for Probing Inhibitory Activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation.},
journal = {Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e202424312},
doi = {10.1002/anie.202424312},
pmid = {39996424},
issn = {1521-3773},
abstract = {MUC7, a highly glycosylated protein in saliva and respiratory tract, plays potential roles in facilitating bacterial clearance and preventing microbial invasion. The complexity of glycan structures and multiplicity of glycosylation sites of MUC7 make it very difficult to explore accurate biofunctions against pathogens. Here, we report an efficiently convergent chemoenzymatic approach to firstly synthesize highly O-glycosylated MUC7 glycopeptides with nine glycosylation sites bearing various glycoforms via the combined use of hydrophobic tag-assisted liquid-phase peptide synthesis and enymatic-catalyzed glycan elongation. Biological evaluations reveal that different glycoforms of synthetic MUC7 glycopeptides mediate unique activities against biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, among which sialylated MUC7 glycopeptide exhibits better inhibitory activity and has the potential to develop antibacterial drugs.},
}

@article {pmid39996001,
year = {2025},
author = {Datta, A and Saha, R and Sahoo, S and Roy, AR and Basu, S and Mahajan, G and Panja, SC and Mukherjee, J},
title = {Production of an Innovative, Surface Area-Enhanced and Biodegradable Biofilm-Generating Device by 3D Printing.},
journal = {Engineering in life sciences},
volume = {25},
number = {2},
pages = {e202400046},
pmid = {39996001},
issn = {1618-0240},
abstract = {The enhanced surface cylindrical flask (ESCF) consists of an eight-striped inner arrangement holding 16 standard microscopic slides placed inside a cylindrical vessel. The specially designed spatula-accessible slides can be withdrawn from the vessel during cultivation without disturbing biofilm formation through an innovative window-flap accessibility mechanism. The vessel and its accessories were three-dimensional (3D) printed by applying a fused deposition modeling technique utilizing biodegradable polylactic acid. Biofilms of clinically relevant bacteria namely Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli were successfully grown in the ESCF and observed through confocal laser scanning microscopy. Advantages of the device include an enhanced surface area for biofilm formation, ease of insertion and removal of microscopic slides, convenient fitting into standard rotary shaker platforms, creation of anoxic/microaerophilic environment inside the vessel as well as the feasibility of pH, dissolved gases, and metabolite measurements in the liquid surrounding the biofilm. The ESCF will find widespread application in medical, industrial, and environmental disciplines.},
}

@article {pmid39994590,
year = {2025},
author = {Mahshouri, P and Alikhani, MY and Momtaz, HE and Doosti-Irani, A and Shokoohizadeh, L},
title = {Analysis of phylogroups, biofilm formation, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance and molecular typing of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from patients with recurrent and non-recurrent urinary tract infections.},
journal = {BMC infectious diseases},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {267},
pmid = {39994590},
issn = {1471-2334},
mesh = {Humans ; *Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology ; *Biofilms/growth & development ; *Uropathogenic Escherichia coli/genetics/drug effects/classification/pathogenicity/isolation & purification ; Female ; *Virulence Factors/genetics ; *Escherichia coli Infections/microbiology ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Iran ; Child ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Recurrence ; *Phylogeny ; Adolescent ; Molecular Typing ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Child, Preschool ; Adhesins, Escherichia coli/genetics ; Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Fimbriae Proteins/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the predominant cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs), and the recurrence of these infections poses significant treatment challenges.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the phylogroups, biofilm formation, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance of UPEC strains in patients with recurrent versus non-recurrent UTIs in Hamadan City, Western Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 110 E. coli isolates were collected from urine cultures across three major hospitals and laboratories. The isolates were confirmed through biochemical tests, and their antibiotic resistance profiles were evaluated using the disk diffusion method. Biofilm production was assessed using the microtiter plate method, while virulence genes and phylogroup determination were analyzed via PCR. Real-time PCR was employed to compare the expression levels of the pap and fimH virulence genes.

RESULTS: The results indicated that 73% of isolates were from non-recurrent UTI patients, with a higher incidence in females and children under 10 years. A significant difference was detected in the underlying diseases and the expression of the pap between the recurrent and non-recurrent groups. Antibiotic resistance was notably significant, particularly against Ampicillin-sulbactam, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Nalidixic acid, and Ciprofloxacin, with 77% of strains classified as multi-drug resistant (MDR). Despite differences in the rates of ESBL production between recurrent (53%) and non-recurrent (42.5%) strains, no significant differences were observed in antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, virulence factors, or phylogroups between the two groups. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a predominance of phylogroups B2 and D, with high genetic diversity among the isolates.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the traits of UPEC strains in recurrent and non-recurrent UTIs, showing high antibiotic resistance and genetic diversity among isolates. The study found notable differences in underlying diseases and the expression of the pap gene between recurrent and non-recurrent groups, suggesting that these factors may play a crucial role in the recurrence of infections. Further investigation into these differences could enhance our understanding and management of recurrent UTIs.},
}

Humans
*Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology
*Biofilms/growth & development
*Uropathogenic Escherichia coli/genetics/drug effects/classification/pathogenicity/isolation & purification
Female
*Virulence Factors/genetics
*Escherichia coli Infections/microbiology
Male
Adult
Middle Aged
Iran
Child
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Recurrence
*Phylogeny
Adolescent
Molecular Typing
Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
Aged
Young Adult
Child, Preschool
Adhesins, Escherichia coli/genetics
Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Fimbriae Proteins/genetics

@article {pmid39994536,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, CY and Huang, HT and Chiang, YT and Lee, KT},
title = {Surfactin inhibits enterococcal biofilm formation via interference with pilus and exopolysaccharide biosynthesis.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {85},
pmid = {39994536},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {111-2313-B-002-010//National Science and Technology Council/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Lipopeptides/pharmacology ; *Enterococcus faecalis/drug effects/physiology/metabolism ; *Polysaccharides, Bacterial/biosynthesis/metabolism/pharmacology ; Humans ; Caco-2 Cells ; *Fimbriae, Bacterial/drug effects/metabolism ; Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology ; Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects ; Bacillus subtilis/drug effects/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Enterococcus faecalis is a significant pathogen in healthcare settings and is frequently resistant to multiple antibiotics. This resistance is compounded by its ability to form biofilms, dense bacterial communities that are challenging to eliminate via standard antibiotic therapies. As such, targeting biofilm formation is considered a viable strategy for addressing these infections. This study assessed the effectiveness of surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide biosurfactant synthesized by Bacillus subtilis natto NTU-18, in preventing biofilm formation by E. faecalis. Analytical characterization of surfactin was performed via liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry (LC‒MS). Additionally, transcriptomic sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were used to investigate alterations in E. faecalis gene expression following treatment with surfactin. The data revealed notable suppression of crucial virulence-related genes responsible for pilus construction and exopolysaccharide synthesis, both of which are vital for E. faecalis adhesion and biofilm structure. Functional tests confirmed that surfactin treatment substantially reduced E. faecalis attachment to Caco-2 cell monolayers and curtailed exopolysaccharide production. Moreover, confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed significant thinning of the biofilms. These observations support the potential utility of surfactin as a therapeutic agent to manage biofilm-associated infections caused by E. faecalis.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Lipopeptides/pharmacology
*Enterococcus faecalis/drug effects/physiology/metabolism
*Polysaccharides, Bacterial/biosynthesis/metabolism/pharmacology
Humans
Caco-2 Cells
*Fimbriae, Bacterial/drug effects/metabolism
Peptides, Cyclic/pharmacology
Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects
Bacillus subtilis/drug effects/metabolism

@article {pmid39992185,
year = {2025},
author = {Lv, X and Liu, S and Cao, Y and Wu, H and Zhang, C and Huang, B and Wang, J},
title = {Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Promoted Biofilm Formation and Rhizosphere Colonization of Bacillus subtilis Tpb55.},
journal = {Journal of agricultural and food chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jafc.4c10818},
pmid = {39992185},
issn = {1520-5118},
abstract = {Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) achieve effective colonization by forming a biofilm on the root surface. However, the promoting effects and mechanisms of nanomaterials on PGPB biofilm formation and rhizosphere colonization are rarely studied. This study investigated the effects and the potential mechanism of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on biofilm formation and rhizosphere colonization of PGPB Bacillus subtilis. 10 and 100 mg/L MWCNTs increased biofilm biomass, extracellular polymeric substance components, live/dead cell ratio, and spores in biofilms. MWCNTs induced B. subtilis Tpb55 upregulated gene expressions of malL, sacX, tasA-tapA, and epsA-O correlated with carbohydrate metabolism and biofilm formation. MWCNTs first stimulated Tpb55 flagellar motility and then increased biofilm formation, thus promoting colonization in the tobacco rhizosphere. Greenhouse experiments showed that the combination of MWCNTs and Tpb55 reduced the occurrence of tobacco black shank. Therefore, MWCNTs have broad application potential in enhancing the effectiveness of PGPB in agricultural disease control and yield enhancement.},
}

@article {pmid39991392,
year = {2025},
author = {Yadav, S and Pawar, S and Patil, S},
title = {Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation Using Silver Nanoparticles.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {e77848},
pmid = {39991392},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Background and aim Nanotechnology explores the unique properties of nanoparticles, which are very dissimilar from their bulk forms. Silver (Ag) has been exhibited to have antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties; since ancient times, silver has been used for its therapeutic qualities. Currently, medical research is investigating the activity and potential uses of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently seen in nosocomial settings because of its capacity to form biofilms on medical devices, implants, and instruments, which increases the risk of infection in hospitalized patients. When P. aeruginosa forms biofilms, it becomes more resistant to antimicrobials and can persist on medical equipment. Biofilms contribute to drug resistance and can drive the progression from acute to chronic diseases. Novel approaches can be aimed at a co-treatment strategy that mixes a drug that disrupts biofilms with conventional antibiotics, and this may make the biofilms more susceptible to treatment. In the present investigation, we study the antibiofilm effect of AgNPs against the biofilm production of P . aeruginosa. Materials and methods The study included 196 P . aeruginosa isolates from specimens at Krishna Hospital & Medical Research Center, Karad. Identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) were done by using the VITEK 2 compact system (BioMérieux, France). Biofilm production and antibiofilm assays were evaluated using the tissue culture plate (TCP) method. Results Biofilm production was observed in 171 (87.24%) of isolates, with 25 (12.76%) being non-biofilm producers. Among biofilm producers, 91 (46.43%) were weak, 58 (29.59%) moderate, and 22 (11.22%) strong. At 400 µg/mL of AgNP concentration, 68 (85%) of isolates showed 60%-90% inhibition. Conclusions P . aeruginosa is a significant hospital-associated pathogen, as indicated by its isolation rate of 16.15%, emphasizing its clinical importance. Notably, 87% of isolates were biofilm producers. Nanotechnology, particularly AgNPs, presents promising solutions for combating biofilms, offering versatile and effective approaches for healthcare and industrial applications.},
}

@article {pmid39990851,
year = {2024},
author = {Liang, L and Chen, X and Zhuang, W and Liu, Y and Zhao, W},
title = {[Research Progress on Drug Intervention to Inhibit Dental Plaque Biofilm Formation by Streptococcus mutans Based on the Concept of Ecological Prevention of Dental Caries].},
journal = {Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition},
volume = {55},
number = {6},
pages = {1597-1603},
pmid = {39990851},
issn = {1672-173X},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Streptococcus mutans/drug effects ; *Dental Plaque/microbiology/prevention & control ; *Dental Caries/prevention & control/microbiology ; Humans ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {Dental caries is the local destruction of hard tooth tissue caused by acidic byproducts generated by cariogenic bacteria, primarily Streptococcus mutans, which ferment free sugars in the presence of host factors, dietary components, and environmental conditions. A main feature of dental caries is the formation of dental plaque biofilm, which significantly improves the resistance of bacteria to drugs and host immunity. Traditional anti-caries drugs mainly exert anti-biofilm functions indirectly through antibacterial activities. However, they tend to interfere with the symbiotic microbiota while inhibiting cariogenic bacteria, which may cause imbalance within the oral microbial system. With increasing attention paid to the homeostasis of oral microbiota, new types of anti-caries drugs have been developed, such as natural extracts, artificially synthesized small molecules, and oligonucleotides. They act on key targets to inhibit the formation of biofilm substrates or regulate the interactions between oral microorganisms, thereby efficiently inhibiting biofilm formation. These drugs do not have bactericidal effects. Nevertheless, they exert indirect antimicrobial effects by interfering with biofilm substrate formation or microbial interactions. The optimization of delivery carriers, combination drug therapy, and biomimetic design further enhance the efficacy of these new types of anti-caries drugs. This article provides a review of the prevention and treatment principles and key targets of dental plaque biofilm. We also discussed the types, mechanisms of action, and development trends of relevant drugs.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Streptococcus mutans/drug effects
*Dental Plaque/microbiology/prevention & control
*Dental Caries/prevention & control/microbiology
Humans
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology

@article {pmid39988682,
year = {2025},
author = {Babanouri, N and Sahmeddini, S and Khadang, S and Bazargani, A},
title = {Effect of Xylitol and Fluoride Varnish on Biofilm and Saliva in Orthodontic Patients: A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.},
journal = {Clinical and experimental dental research},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {e70062},
pmid = {39988682},
issn = {2057-4347},
support = {//This study was supported by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Grant no. 22740)./ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Xylitol/pharmacology ; *Biofilms/drug effects ; *Saliva/microbiology/chemistry ; Female ; Male ; *Fluorides, Topical/pharmacology/administration & dosage ; Adolescent ; *Streptococcus mutans/drug effects ; *Cariostatic Agents/pharmacology ; Young Adult ; *Dental Caries/prevention & control/microbiology ; Lactobacillus/drug effects ; Adult ; Orthodontic Brackets/microbiology/adverse effects ; Orthodontic Appliances, Fixed ; Sodium Fluoride/pharmacology/administration & dosage ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Fixed orthodontic appliances are associated with higher levels of plaque and saliva bacteria, which contribute to dental caries. The effects of combining xylitol and fluoride, both used in caries prevention, are uncertain. Thus, this study assessed the combined impact of fluoride and xylitol varnish on bacteria in saliva and biofilms around orthodontic brackets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, four-arm, parallel-group, triple-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 patients who required fixed orthodontic treatment were included. Patients were sorted into one of the following groups at random: fluoride, xylitol, combined fluoride and xylitol, and control. Biofilm and saliva sampling was performed at two intervals: T0 (first session of bracket bonding, before application of the varnish) and T1 (6 weeks after application of the varnish). The number of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus was counted using the CFU method.

RESULTS: The relative number of S. mutans and lactobacilli in saliva and biofilm significantly decreased following the application of fluoride and combined fluoride/xylitol varnish (p < 0.05) and were more effective than xylitol varnish. There was no significant difference between fluoride and combined fluoride/xylitol varnishes regarding changes in S. mutans and Lactobacillus colonies in saliva and dental biofilms. Additionally, there was no significant difference between xylitol and the two other active varnishes regarding reduction in biofilm S. mutans and Lactobacillus.

CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between fluoride and combined fluoride/xylitol varnishes regarding changes in the studied bacteria in saliva and dental biofilms, and they were more effective than xylitol varnish.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial identifier: IRCT20181121041713N4; https://fa.irct.ir/trial/58543.},
}

Humans
*Xylitol/pharmacology
*Biofilms/drug effects
*Saliva/microbiology/chemistry
Female
Male
*Fluorides, Topical/pharmacology/administration & dosage
Adolescent
*Streptococcus mutans/drug effects
*Cariostatic Agents/pharmacology
Young Adult
*Dental Caries/prevention & control/microbiology
Lactobacillus/drug effects
Adult
Orthodontic Brackets/microbiology/adverse effects
Orthodontic Appliances, Fixed
Sodium Fluoride/pharmacology/administration & dosage

@article {pmid39987875,
year = {2025},
author = {Pourrostami Niavol, K and Andaluri, G and Achary, MP and Suri, RPS},
title = {How does carbon to nitrogen ratio and carrier type affect moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR): Performance evaluation and the fate of antibiotic resistance genes.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {377},
number = {},
pages = {124619},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124619},
pmid = {39987875},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {With the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment, monitoring and controlling ARGs have become an emerging issue of concern in biological processes. Moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR) have been gaining attention for application in wastewater treatment. Since the performance of MBBR depends on operational parameters and biocarriers, selection of suitable biocarriers and start-up conditions are vital for efficiency of MBBRs. This study investigates the effects of different carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratios and carrier types on the fate of selected ARGs and microbial communities in four MBBR systems using two conventional (K3 and sponge biocarrier (SB)) and two modified carriers (Fe-Ca@SB and Ze-AC@SB). Results showed that the modified biocarriers achieved higher NH4-N removal and better simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) performance (90%) at C/N of 20. However, as the C/N ratio decreased to 10 and 7, the performance of all bioreactors was approximately similar. Moreover, COD removal of 90% was achieved in all reactors regardless of C/N ratio and carrier type. Further studies on the fate of selected ARGs (tetA, blaTEM, ampR) showed that the C/N ratio could affect the abundance of target ARGs, especially for K3 biocarrier, with tetA being the most abundant gene. Also, as the C/N ratio decreased, intl1 was enriched using K3 and SB. However, for Ze-AC@SB, the increase in the abundance of ARGs and intl1 was the lowest making it a reliable carrier not only in MBBR performance but in the control of ARGs. Metagenomic studies showed that the C/N ratio and carrier type could alter the diversity and structure of the bacterial communities in different MBBR systems, with Proteobacteria being the most abundant phylum in all four systems.},
}

@article {pmid39987511,
year = {2025},
author = {Samy, S and Alagumuthu, M and Yalamaddi, OD and Dangate, MS},
title = {New Chlorophenyl Dioxo-Imidazolidines for Bacterial Biofilm.},
journal = {Drug development research},
volume = {86},
number = {2},
pages = {e70054},
doi = {10.1002/ddr.70054},
pmid = {39987511},
issn = {1098-2299},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry ; *Imidazolidines/pharmacology/chemistry ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects ; Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects ; Topoisomerase II Inhibitors/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {Biofilm is a "growing" problem and needs effective remedial agents. Here we report novel methyl 4-((4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl) methyl) benzoate derivatives (5a-l) as antibiofilm and antimicrobial agents evaluated with both in silico and in vitro techniques. When it comes to Gram-positive bacterial strains like Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 737), MRSA and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MTCC 1936), and Gram-negative bacterial strains like Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424) and Escherichia coli (MTCC 443), the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC), and anti-biofilm activity were measured. Out of all the compounds (5a-l), 5b and 5d showed no toxicity to mammalian cells and were equally active against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at low concentrations (MIC: 0.1-9.5 µg/mL). Compounds 5b and 5d were also validated for the DNA gyrase inhibition potential as an antimicrobial mechanism of action in vitro. These compounds showed high level DNA gyrase inhibition potentials (IC50 0.025 µM, ≥ 98 relative % activity and 0.24 µM, ≥ 94 relative % activity respectively. In the end, we have identified 5b and 5d as most effective among 5a-l and are considered for further preclinical studies.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Microbial Sensitivity Tests
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry
*Imidazolidines/pharmacology/chemistry
Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects
Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects
Topoisomerase II Inhibitors/pharmacology

@article {pmid39986790,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, H and Dong, P and Huo, S and Nychas, GE and Luo, X and Zhu, L and Mao, Y and Han, G and Liu, M and Liu, Y and Zhang, Y},
title = {Deciphering the inhibitory mechanisms of cinnamaldehyde on biofilm formation of Listeria monocytogenes and implement these strategies to control its transfer to beef surfaces.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {204},
number = {},
pages = {115946},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115946},
pmid = {39986790},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {*Acrolein/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; *Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Listeria monocytogenes/drug effects/physiology ; *Red Meat/microbiology ; Animals ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Food Microbiology ; Cattle ; Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Virulence Factors/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Natural essential oils have received widespread attention as promising microbial inhibitors, whereas a comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms underlying biofilm control and impact on biofilm cross-contamination on meat remains poorly understood. In this study, Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) biofilms were treated with sub-inhibitory concentrations of cinnamaldehyde (CA) and characterized over a 4-day period. Both 1/2 MIC (160 μg/mL) and 1/4 MIC (80 μg/mL) CA delayed the development of Lm biofilm on abiotic surfaces and reduced the maximum biofilm formation. The limited effect of 1/4 MIC CA on the flagellar-mediated motility of Lm during initial adhesion indicated that hindering bacterial motility was not the main reason for CA inhibition of biofilm formation. Transcriptomics results showed that CA was involved in inhibitory pathways dominated by energy metabolism and peptidoglycan synthesis during the initial adhesion period and the maturation period of the biofilm, respectively. This posed an obstacle to the polymers required for biofilm cell adhesion and the energy consumption required for their production. Down-regulation of genes associated with multiple signalling systems and virulence factors also suggested that CA further mitigated resistance and virulence in residual biofilm cells. In addition, quantification of biofilm cells transferred to beef surfaces confirmed that CA significantly reduces the biomass transferred and the risk of persistent biofilm contamination. This study provided the theoretical basis for the control of Lm biofilm and its cross-contamination in the food industry by natural essential oils.},
}

*Acrolein/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology
*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Listeria monocytogenes/drug effects/physiology
*Red Meat/microbiology
Animals
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Food Microbiology
Cattle
Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Virulence Factors/genetics/metabolism

@article {pmid39986621,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, Z and Liu, X and Wang, H and Man, S and Yan, Q},
title = {Ferrihydrite regulated nitrogen metabolic pathway at biocathode of bioelectrochemical system - Insight into biofilm formation and bacterial composition.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {132275},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132275},
pmid = {39986621},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {To further understand the nitrogen metabolism disrupted by anthropogenic activities, 2.5 g/L of ferrihydrite were added into cathodic chamber of bioelectrochemical system to expediate the nitrogen removal process. It was found that the nitrate removal constant was significantly improved and maintained at around 0.09 h[-1] with ferrihydrite addition, while the control group maintained only at around 0.05 h[-1]. Besides, it seemed that the addition of ferrihydrite lead to less biomass accumulation but higher biofilm viability. Meanwhile, ferrihydrite selectively enriched OTUs capable of participating in both iron and nitrogen metabolism, relative abundance of OTU1631 (Thiobacillus) and OTU1467 (Comamonas granuli) was accordingly upped to 58.75 % and 5.11 %, respectively. Moreover, denitrification related genes were enhanced while genes related to nitrogen fixation, dissimilatory nitrate reduction, assimilatory nitrate reduction and nitrification were downregulated, further confirming the redirected electron transfer for the promotion of denitrification.},
}

@article {pmid39985993,
year = {2025},
author = {Park, K and Kim, KY and Kirk, MF and Kwon, MJ},
title = {Biofilm development on fractured rock in oligotrophic nitrate-rich groundwater: An in-situ bioreactor study.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {277},
number = {},
pages = {123329},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2025.123329},
pmid = {39985993},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {Biofilms drive all biogeochemical processes and represent the main mode of existence for active microbial life. Many past studies examined biofilm formation under static and eutrophic conditions, but those conditions are not representative of typical groundwater environments. In this study, we developed in situ bioreactors and methodologies to examine the influence of subsurface properties such as redox condition and lithology on the properties of naturally formed biofilms in two adjacent wells, a 30-m deep well completed in alluvium and a 120-m deep well in gneiss bedrock. The bulk chemistry of groundwater from the wells was similar, with neutral pH and abundant nitrate (21.9-24.6 mg/L), but redox conditions differed with depth (alluvial: oxic, gneiss bedrock: anoxic). Microbial community analysis revealed distinct clustering of biofilm community composition with the groundwater environment. Biofilm communities were consistently assembled by deterministic processes whereas planktonic communities had a higher influence of stochastic processes. Alluvial biofilms exhibited more diverse communities mainly composed of organotrophic aerobes capable of nitrate utilization. Bedrock biofilms indicated similar community compositions with groundwater where anaerobic denitrifiers coupled with sulfur oxidizers were dominant. Visualization and biomass quantification revealed distinct morphologies and development of biofilm along rock types and groundwater environments. Biofilm on gneiss surface had more biomass and formed a thin layered structure, compared to sandstone biofilm which had a randomly distributed pattern, implying that the morphology of biofilm was governed by the properties of the rock. Attached to unattached (planktonic) microbe ratios ranged from 3.9 × 10[3] to 1.2 × 10[4]: 1 in the gneiss surface and 3.4 × 10[2] to 4.2 × 10[2]: 1 in the sandstone surface in bedrock groundwater environment. Taken together, this study advances our understanding of subsurface biomass abundance and demonstrates that the in-situ bioreactors are effective for cultivating and analyzing of subsurface biofilms. Based on the specific field conditions tested, we found that biofilm can form stably on fractured rock surfaces within a year, with groundwater redox conditions shaping community composition and rock types determining biofilm volume and morphology. The methodologies presented here can be extended to other subsurface environments with varying groundwater geochemistry and lithology, which will help further refine estimates of microbial life and its role in subsurface ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid39985209,
year = {2025},
author = {Yan, N and Zhou, H and He, J and Li, T and Liu, Q and Ning, H and Ma, Z and Feng, L and Jin, T and Deng, Y and Wu, Z and Kennard, SC},
title = {Correction to "A Multifunctional Cobalt-Containing Implant for Treating Biofilm Infections and Promoting Osteointegration in Infected Bone Defects Through Macrophage-Mediated Immunomodulation".},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e2502472},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202502472},
pmid = {39985209},
issn = {2198-3844},
}

@article {pmid39984582,
year = {2025},
author = {Xue, J and Meng, K and Lv, J and Liu, L and Duan, F and Ji, X and Ding, L},
title = {NlpD as a crucial factor in desiccation resistance and biofilm formation in Cronobacter sakazakii.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {6289},
pmid = {39984582},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {32200156//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; WJ2023M168//Hubei Province Health and Family Planning Scientific Research Project/ ; },
mesh = {*Cronobacter sakazakii/physiology/metabolism/genetics ; *Biofilms/growth & development ; *Desiccation ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Proteomics/methods ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Lipoproteins/metabolism/genetics ; Humans ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; },
abstract = {Cronobacter sakazakii is a Gram-negative bacterium known for causing severe infections in neonates, particularly through contaminated infant formula. This study investigated the role of the outer membrane lipoprotein NlpD in the environmental tolerance of C. sakazakii. A nlpD knockout mutant was constructed, and its impact on desiccation resistance, biofilm formation, motility, and proteomic profiles was evaluated and compared with that of the wild-type strain. The nlpD mutant presented reduced desiccation tolerance, reduced ability to form a biofilm, and altered surface hydrophobicity and motility patterns. The complemented strain restored these phenotypic changes, confirming that the observed effects were specifically due to the deletion of nlpD. Proteomic analysis revealed significant differential expression of proteins involved in metabolic and biosynthetic pathways upon nlpD deletion. These findings emphasize the multifaceted role of NlpD in enhancing the environmental tolerance of C. sakazakii, suggesting its importance in the resilience and survival of the bacterium in adverse conditions.},
}

*Cronobacter sakazakii/physiology/metabolism/genetics
*Biofilms/growth & development
*Desiccation
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Proteomics/methods
Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Lipoproteins/metabolism/genetics
Humans
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

@article {pmid39984428,
year = {2025},
author = {Scott, E and Bullerjahn, GS and Burkhart, CG},
title = {The Role of Cutibacterium acnes Biofilm as a Biological Glue in Acne and Dandruff: Current Insights and Future Directions.},
journal = {International journal of dermatology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/ijd.17694},
pmid = {39984428},
issn = {1365-4632},
}

@article {pmid39983883,
year = {2025},
author = {Bhowmik, B and Chowdhury, A and Bhuiyan, MNI and Afrin, S and Sarkar, R and Dey, SS and Siddique, S and Satter Miah, MA},
title = {Biofilm associated growth inhibition of XDR Escherichia fergusonii strain ACE12 isolated from soil.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {201},
number = {},
pages = {107400},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107400},
pmid = {39983883},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {Biofilm formation by bacteria is highly recognized for virulence factors resulting in their resistance to antimicrobials that lead to biofilm-associated infections. In this study, we isolated Escherichia fergusonii from soil, characterized its biofilm-associated growth, and evaluated the inhibitory potential of anti-biofilm compounds. Test isolate ACE12 was precisely identified as E. fergusonii based on the morphological and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of ACE12 showed its resistance to β-Lactams, Aminoglycosides, Macrolides, Tetracycline, Trimethoprim, Vancomycin, & Nitrofurans and on the basis of its resistant pattern the isolate was categorized as extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria. In addition, the research isolate ACE12 was found to harbor four distinct antibiotic resistant genes including dfrA1, blaTem-1, tetC, and sul1, encoding the resistant determinants for trimethoprim, β-lactam, tetracycline, and sulfonamide antibiotics, respectively. Initial screening of biofilm formation by Congo-Red Agar (CRA) and Tube method demonstrated that E. fergusonii ACE12 is a biofilm-forming bacterium. The respective biofilm was characterized by estimating the optical density (OD595) of crystal violet (CV)-stained biofilm by Microtiter plate assay, confirming E. fergusonii as a strong biofilm former. Evaluation of anti-biofilm activity of metal salt of zinc (ZnSO4.7H2O), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and two phenolic acids including tannic acid (TA) and trans-cinnamic acid (trans-CA) showed that ≥80 % of biofilm was inhibited at their minimum inhibitory concentrations of 15-100 μg/ml for ZnSO4.7H2O, 250-500 μg/ml for DPPH, 40-50 μg/ml for TA, and 500-1000 μg/ml for Trans-CA. Additionally, at a concentration of 2500 μg/ml, ZnO-1 exhibited approximately 80 % biofilm reduction whereas 70 % biofilm was inhibited by ZnO-6. These findings exhibit that, the studied anti-biofilm compounds can effectively inhibit the biofilm associated growth of E. fergusonii.},
}

@article {pmid39983264,
year = {2025},
author = {Lin, B and Hu, T and Xu, Z and Ke, Y and Zhang, L and Zheng, J and Ma, J},
title = {Stratified biofilm structure of MABR enabling efficient ammonia removal from aquaculture medicated bath wastewater.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {277},
number = {},
pages = {123326},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2025.123326},
pmid = {39983264},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {The presence of high concentrations of residual antibiotics in aquaculture medicated bath wastewater poses challenges to conventional biological nitrogen removal processes. Membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), known for its energy efficiency and stratified biofilm structure that supports diverse ecological niches, was therefore introduced. Experimental results revealed that MABR achieved an exceptional NH4[+]-N removal efficiency of 98.2 ± 1.8 % even under high oxytetracycline exposure, attributed to the protective effects of the biofilm on functional bacteria colonized in the inner layer (e.g., ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria). Genes mediating the nitrification process, such as amoA/B and nxrA, showed an overall upward trend, with the activation of efflux pumps synergistically constituting the microbial response. Conversely, total nitrogen removal efficiency decreased from 95.3 ± 2.5 % to 76.0 ± 8.8 %, despite enrichment of Denitratisoma oestradiolicum (14.5 %) and denitrifying bacterium clone NOA-1-C (41.7 %), likely due to limited expression of the narG gene. After ceasing oxytetracycline dosing and adjusting operational parameters, total nitrogen removal improved to 87.4 ± 5.8 %. The results of this study underscore the significance and resilience of MABR technology in the treatment of aquaculture medicated bath wastewater.},
}

@article {pmid39982329,
year = {2025},
author = {Pinna, A and Donadu, MG and Dore, S and Serra, R and Sacchi, M and Boscia, G and Bozó, A and Kovács, R},
title = {In Vitro Activity of a New Ophthalmic Spray Containing Biosecur[®] Citrus Extract (Oftasecur[®]) Against Candida auris and Candida albicans and Preformed Biofilm on Contact Lenses.},
journal = {Vision (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {39982329},
issn = {2411-5150},
abstract = {We investigated the in vitro antifungal activity of a new commercial ocular spray containing Biosecur[®] citrus extract (Oftasecur[®]) against Candida auris and C. albicans and assessed its activity against preformed Candida biofilm on contact lenses and plastic lens cases. The C. auris isolate 12 (NCPF 8973) and the SC5314 C. albicans wild-type reference strain were used. Oftasecur[®]'s effect on C. auris and C. albicans planktonic cells (1 × 10[6] cells/mL) was tested in RPMI-1640 medium. The concentrations tested were 0.39%, 1.56%, 6.25%, 12.5%, and 25%. The living planktonic cell number was obtained using time-kill experiments. Antifungal activity against preformed C. auris and C. albicans biofilm on etafilcon A and senofilcon A contact lenses and plastic lens cases was also tested. A significant decrease was found in the living cell number of C. albicans after 8-48 h in the presence of Oftasecur[®] concentrations ranging from 6.25% to 25% (p < 0.01-0.001). In the C. auris experiments, the cell number was significantly decreased after 8 h incubation in 25% Oftasecur[®] (p < 0.05-0.001). Similarly, 12.5% Oftasecur[®] was effective against preformed C. auris and C. albicans biofilm on contact lenses and plastic lens cases. The results suggest that the in vitro antifungal activity of Oftasecur[®] against C. albicans and C. auris planktonic cells and preformed fungal biofilm on contact lenses and plastic cases is dependent on the concentrations used. Further research is warranted to establish whether Oftasecur[®] may play a role in the prevention of contact lens-related Candida keratitis and other ocular-surface Candida infections.},
}

@article {pmid39982113,
year = {2025},
author = {Pejov, L and Hristovski, KD and Burge, SR and Burge, RG and Boscovic, D},
title = {Temporal dynamics of the biofilm-mediated open circuit potentials: Understanding the fundamentals via a combined thermodynamic and kinetic modeling approach.},
journal = {Biointerphases},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1116/6.0003996},
pmid = {39982113},
issn = {1559-4106},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; *Thermodynamics ; Kinetics ; Electrodes ; Models, Theoretical ; },
abstract = {This study provides in-depth insights into the thermodynamics of electrochemical processes that govern the generation and temporal modulation of open-circuit potentials in biofilms and presents the foundation and applications of open-circuit potential methods to study the bioelectrochemical behaviors of biofilms. This investigation was guided by an overarching hypothesis that models should adequately explain the open-circuit potential patterns generated by biofilms when environmental conditions change; and from this work, a generalized model of electrochemical processes endemic to the biofilm electrode was developed and validated. The proposed model accounts for open system thermodynamics and the kinetics of bioelectrochemical transformations, and the model is simplified to enable applicability to a wide range of processes that are possible within biofilms. As such, the model can account for different parameters associated with various biofilm systems and is extendable to include numerous other experimental conditions. The model predictions were compared to the experimental data generated by 48 equidistantly located microbial potentiometric sensor electrodes in a chamber capable of simulating naturally occurring water matrix, which was exposed to environmental conditions. By combining electrochemical-cell thermodynamics and kinetics approaches, the model explained the temporal dependences of the open circuit potentials in aerobic and anaerobic conditions and the interconversion of two regimes commonly observed in natural systems. At the same time, it enables extraction of the relevant kinetic parameters from experimentally measured time evolution of the open circuit potentials.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
*Thermodynamics
Kinetics
Electrodes
Models, Theoretical

@article {pmid39982068,
year = {2025},
author = {Reichhardt, C and Matwichuk, ML and Lewerke, LT and Jacobs, HM and Yan, J and Parsek, MR},
title = {Non-disruptive matrix turnover is a conserved feature of biofilm aggregate growth in paradigm pathogenic species.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0393524},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.03935-24},
pmid = {39982068},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Bacteria form multicellular aggregates called biofilms. A crucial component of these aggregates is a protective matrix that holds the community together. Biofilm matrix composition varies depending upon bacterial species but typically includes exopolysaccharides (EPS), proteins, and extracellular DNA. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a model organism for the study of biofilms, and in non-mucoid biofilms, it uses the structurally distinct EPS Psl and Pel, the EPS-binding protein CdrA, and eDNA as key matrix components. An interesting phenomenon that we and others have observed is that the periphery of a biofilm aggregate can be EPS-rich and contain very few cells. In this study, we investigated two possible models of assembly and dynamics of this EPS-rich peripheral region: (i) newly synthesized EPS is inserted and incorporated into the existing EPS-rich region at the periphery during biofilm aggregate growth or (ii) EPS is continuously turned over and newly synthesized EPS is deposited at the outermost edge of the aggregate. Our results support the latter model. Specifically, we observed that new EPS is continually deposited at the aggregate periphery, which is necessary for continued aggregate growth but not aggregate stability. We made similar observations in another paradigm biofilm-forming species, Vibrio cholerae. This pattern of deposition raises the question of how EPS is retained. Specifically, for P. aeruginosa biofilms, the matrix adhesin CdrA is thought to retain EPS. However, current thinking is that cell-associated CdrA is responsible for this retention, and it is not clear how CdrA might function in the relatively cell-free aggregate periphery. We observed that CdrA is enzymatically degraded during aggregate growth without negatively impacting biofilm stability and that cell-free CdrA can partially maintain aggregation and Psl retention. Overall, this study shows that the matrix of P. aeruginosa biofilms undergoes both continuous synthesis of matrix material and matrix turnover to accommodate biofilm aggregate growth and that cell-free matrix can at least partially maintain biofilm aggregation and EPS localization. Furthermore, our similar observations for V. cholerae biofilms suggest that our findings may represent basic principles of aggregate assembly in bacteria.

IMPORTANCE: Here, we show that, to accommodate growing cellular biomass, newly produced Psl is deposited over existing Psl at the periphery of biofilm aggregates. We demonstrated that V. cholerae employs a similar mechanism with its biofilm matrix EPS, VPS. In addition, we found that the protease LasB is present in the biofilm matrix, resulting in degradation of CdrA to lower molecular weight cell-free forms. We then show that the released forms of CdrA are retained in the matrix and remain functional. Together, our findings support that the P. aeruginosa biofilm matrix is dynamic during the course of aggregate growth and that other species may employ similar mechanisms to remodel their matrix.},
}

@article {pmid39981044,
year = {2025},
author = {Kokilakanit, P and Dungkhuntod, N and Serikul, N and Koontongkaew, S and Utispan, K},
title = {Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits multispecies biofilm formation and cariogenicity.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {e18942},
pmid = {39981044},
issn = {2167-8359},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Caffeic Acids/pharmacology ; *Phenylethyl Alcohol/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; *Streptococcus mutans/drug effects ; *Dental Caries/microbiology/prevention & control ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Streptococcus oralis/drug effects ; Streptococcus mitis/drug effects ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a natural phenolic compound, has demonstrated antibacterial effects. Dental caries etiology is multifactorial, including a cariogenic biofilm containing multispecies bacteria. However, the antibacterial property of CAPE on multispecies biofilm is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of CAPE on the formation and cariogenicity in biofilm containing Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, and Streptococcus mitis.

METHODS: S. mutans (ATCC 25175), S. oralis (ATCC 35037), and S. mitis (ATCC 49456T) were employed in this investigation. Each bacterial strain was cultured in the presence of CAPE, followed by susceptibility assessment through optical density measurements at a 600 nm wavelength. Multispecies biofilm formation was achieved by co-culturing S. mutans, S. oralis, and S. mitis at a 1:1:1 ratio on hydroxyapatite-coated 96-well plates. The anti-adherence activity of CAPE on multispecies biofilm was evaluated using a crystal violet staining assay. Cariogenic gene expression level and glucosyltransferase (GTF) function in CAPE-treated mixed bacteria were evaluated using real-time PCR and enzyme activity assay, respectively. The thickness and bacterial viability in CAPE-treated multispecies biofilm were examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

RESULTS: CAPE demonstrated a significant antimicrobial effect on S. mutans, S. oralis, and S. mitis (p < 0.05). The inhibition concentration 50% (IC50) of CAPE against S. mutans, S. oralis, and S. mitis ranged from 1.6-6.4 mg/ml. CAPE significantly hindered the multispecies biofilm adherence (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in acidogenicity, aciduricity, sucrose-dependent adhesion and quorum sensing mechanism and GTF activity were significantly decreased in CAPE-treated mixed bacteria (p < 0.05). In a multispecies biofilm, CAPE significantly reduced its thickness and viable bacteria population (p < 0.05). In conclusion, CAPE exhibited antimicrobial, anti-adherence and anti-cariogenic effects within a multispecies biofilm. These findings suggest the potential use of CAPE as an adjunctive anti-cariogenic agent in future dental applications.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Caffeic Acids/pharmacology
*Phenylethyl Alcohol/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology
*Streptococcus mutans/drug effects
*Dental Caries/microbiology/prevention & control
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Streptococcus oralis/drug effects
Streptococcus mitis/drug effects
Humans
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects