Biofilms are a structured community of microorganisms that are attached to a surface. Individual bacteria are embedded in a bacterial-secreted matrix. Biofilms have significantly increased tolerance to removal by cleaning agents and killing by disinfectants and antibiotics. This special issue is devoted to diagnosis and treatment of biofilm-related diseases in man. It highlights the differences between the biofilm and planktonic (single cell) lifestyles and the diseases biofilms cause from periodontitis to breast implant capsular contracture. Biofilm-specific treatment options are detailed in experimental and review manuscripts.
Keywords: Candida auris; antibiotic; antimicrobial peptides; biofilms; breast implants; calcium sulphate; dry surface biofilms; periodontitis; topical negative pressure wound therapy.