AUTHOR=Oliva Alessandra , Stefani Stefania , Venditti Mario , Di Domenico Enea Gino 

TITLE=Biofilm-Related Infections in Gram-Positive Bacteria and the Potential Role of the Long-Acting Agent Dalbavancin

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.749685

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2021.749685

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria are a major public health problem due to their increasing resistance to antibiotics. <italic>Staphylococcus</italic> and <italic>Enterococcus</italic> species’ resistance and pathogenicity are enhanced by their ability to form biofilm. The biofilm lifestyle represents a significant obstacle to treatment because bacterial cells become highly tolerant to a wide range of antimicrobial compounds normally effective against their planktonic forms. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies targeting biofilms are urgently needed. The lipoglycopeptide dalbavancin is a long-acting agent for treating acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections caused by a broad range of Gram-positive pathogens. Recent studies have shown promising activity of dalbavancin against Gram-positive biofilms, including methicillin-resistant <italic>S. aureus</italic> (MRSA), methicillin-resistant <italic>S. epidermidis</italic> (MRSE), and vancomycin-susceptible enterococci. This review outlines the mechanisms regulating biofilm development in <italic>Staphylococcus</italic> and <italic>Enterococcus</italic> species and the clinical impact of biofilm-related infections. In addition, it discusses the clinical implications and potential therapeutic perspectives of the long-acting drug dalbavancin against biofilm-forming Gram-positive pathogens.</p>