The Battle of Probiotics and Their Derivatives Against Biofilms

Infect Drug Resist. 2020 Feb 26:13:659-672. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S232982. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Biofilm-related infections have been a major clinical problem and include chronic infections, device-related infections and malfunction of medical devices. Since biofilms are not fully available for the human immune system and antibiotics, they are difficult to eradicate and control; therefore, imposing a global threat to human health. There have been avenues to tackle biofilms largely based on the disruption of their adhesion and maturation. Nowadays, the use of probiotics and their derivatives has gained a growing interest in battling against pathogenic biofilms. In the present review, we have a close look at probiotics with the ultimate objective of inhibiting biofilm formation and maturation. Overall, insights into the mechanisms by which probiotics and their derivatives can be used in the management of biofilm infections would be warranted.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance; biofilm; infection; lactobacillus; probiotics; sepsis.

Publication types

  • Review