Advanced Nanotechnological Approaches for Biofilm Prevention and Control

Abstract

Biofilm-associated infections present a significant challenge in modern medicine, primarily due to their resilience and resistance to conventional treatments. These infections occur when bacteria form biofilms, protective layers formed by bacterial communities, which are notoriously resistant to traditional antibiotics on surfaces such as medical implants and biological surfaces, making eradication with standard antibiotics difficult. This resilience leads to persistent infections, imposing a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems. The urgency to find alternative treatments is critical as current methods are insufficient and costly. Innovative approaches, such as nanotechnology-based therapies, offer promising alternatives by targeting biofilms more effectively and reducing the need for invasive procedures. Nanocarriers hold significant promise in the fight against biofilm-associated infections. Nanocarriers can penetrate biofilms more effectively than conventional treatments, delivering higher concentrations of antibiotics or other antimicrobial agents precisely where they are needed. This targeted approach not only enhances the efficacy of treatments but also minimizes potential side effects. The development of nanocarrier-based therapies is crucial for overcoming the limitations of current treatments and ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the economic burden of biofilm-associated infections on healthcare systems. In this review, nanotechnology-based systems, their characteristics, limitations, and potential benefits are explored to address biofilms-related infections. Additionally, biofilm evaluation models and the tests necessary for the preclinical validation of these nanosystems to facilitate their clinical application are addressed.