Biofilm-associated healthcare-associated infections: mechanisms, clinical burden, and emerging therapeutic frontiers - a narrative review.
- 1All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Patna, Bihar, India.
- 2All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India.
Abstract
Biofilms are highly organized microbial communities embedded within an extracellular polymeric matrix and represent a critical yet underappreciated driver of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Their ability to colonize medical devices and host tissues underlies major infections, including central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections. Biofilm formation is dynamic, multistage process involving attachment, maturation, and dispersal of microorganisms, each phase reinforcing persistence and therapeutic failure. The matrix impedes immune clearance and antimicrobial penetration, while quorum sensing, metabolic heterogeneity, and persister cell formation further enhance tolerance. Clinically important bacterial and fungal biofilms, particularly those formed by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species, exhibit resistance far exceeding planktonic cells. Diagnostic limitations obscure true disease burden, and current strategies relying on antimicrobials and device removal remain inadequate amid rising resistance. This manuscript provides comprehensive synthesis of existing and novel strategies to mitigate HAIs, with particular emphasis on translational relevance.
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BibTeX
@article{anand2026biofilmassociated,
title = {{Biofilm-associated healthcare-associated infections: mechanisms, clinical burden, and emerging therapeutic frontiers - a narrative review.}},
author = {Gargee Anand and Rijhul Lahariya},
journal = {GMS hygiene and infection control},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3205/dgkh000675},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923054},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Biofilm-associated healthcare-associated infections: mechanisms, clinical burden, and emerging therapeutic frontiers - a narrative review.
AU - Gargee Anand
AU - Rijhul Lahariya
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/10
JO - GMS hygiene and infection control
DO - 10.3205/dgkh000675
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923054
AB - Biofilms are highly organized microbial communities embedded within an extracellular polymeric matrix and represent a critical yet underappreciated driver of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Their ability to colonize medical devices and host tissues underlies major infections, including central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections. Biofilm formation is dynamic, multistage process involving attachment, maturation, and dispersal of microorganisms, each phase reinforcing persistence and therapeutic failure. The matrix impedes immune clearance and antimicrobial penetration, while quorum sensing, metabolic heterogeneity, and persister cell formation further enhance tolerance. Clinically important bacterial and fungal biofilms, particularly those formed by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species, exhibit resistance far exceeding planktonic cells. Diagnostic limitations obscure true disease burden, and current strategies relying on antimicrobials and device removal remain inadequate amid rising resistance. This manuscript provides comprehensive synthesis of existing and novel strategies to mitigate HAIs, with particular emphasis on translational relevance.
SN - 2196-5226
ER -