Microbial Biofilms in Chronic and Recurrent Infections

Microbial biofilms are one of the most relevant drivers of chronic and recurrent infections and a significant healthcare problem. Biofilms have been implicated in more than 80% of persistent infectious diseases such as chronic wound infection, osteomyelitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, recurrent urinary tract infection, endocarditis, chronic pulmonary disease, and detected on virtually all medical devices. Within a biofilm, microbial cells show increased tolerance to both immune system defense mechanisms and antimicrobials than the same cells in the planktonic state. As a consequence, antibiotic treatment based on susceptibility testing of planktonic cells may lead to treatment failure and recurrence of the infection. Currently, no drugs are available to attack microbial biofilms in the clinical setting. Thus, the timely recognition and investigation of biofilm-associated infections may provide key information for directing medical or surgical therapeutic intervention. Despite their clinical and scientific importance, the diagnosis of biofilm-associated infections remains a challenge. The development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is urgently needed to allow an effective management of biofilm-associated infections.

The current research topic aims to acquire knowledge on the pathogenesis and therapeutic management of chronic biofilm-related infections, and correlate results to the clinical outcome. The development of innovative therapeutic strategies and methods to assess biofilm production and their tolerance to antibiotics will be covered by the research topic.

This Research Topic will accept Original Research and Review Article focusing on the following aspects of microbial biofilms in chronic and recurrent infections:

• antibiotic resistance/tolerance in biofilm-related infections;
• biofilm contribution in chronic periodontitis;
• chronic lung infection and/or cystic fibrosis;
• chronic wounds;
• infective endocarditis;
• urinary tract infections
• biofilm in medical devices-related infections;
• anaerobes in biofilm-associated infections;
• biofilm-related infections by the members of the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.);
• role of the host's immune system in chronic and recurrent biofilm-related infections;
• clinical aspects of Candida biofilms.

The Topic Editors would like to acknowledge the key contribution of Assistant Topic Editor, Dr Jason Tasse, to the preparation of this Topic.