Anti-biofilm agents: recent breakthrough against multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen that causes potentially life-threatening nosocomial- and community-acquired infections, such as osteomyelitis and endocarditis. Staphylococcus aureus has the ability to form multicellular, surface-adherent communities called biofilms, which enables it to survive in various sources of stress, including antibiotics, nutrient limitations, heat shock, and immune responses. Biofilm-forming capacity is now recognized as an important virulence determinant in the development of staphylococcal device-related infections. In light of the projected increase in the numbers of elderly patients who will require semi-permanent indwelling medical devices such as artificial knees and hips, we can anticipate an expanded need for new agents and treatment options to manage biofilm-associated infections in an expanding at-risk population. With better understanding of staphylococcal biofilm formation and growth, novel strategies that target biofilm-associated infections caused by S. aureus have recently been described and seem promising as future anti-biofilm therapies.
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Pooi Y
PY
Chung
Yien S
YS
Toh
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D053038:Quorum Sensing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D007477:Ions; D012834:Silver
Staphylococcus aureus; anti-biofilm agents; quorum sensing