Nano-Carriers in Biofilm-Associated Infections: Clinical Challenges, Regulatory Hurdles, and Translational Perspectives.

Abstract

Biofilms are structured communities of microorganisms encapsulated by an Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS) matrix, which plays a crucial role in recurrent and chronic infections caused by implanted medical devices. The natural resistance of biofilms to antimicrobials and the difficulty in diagnosing them pose a challenge in the fight against infections. The biofilm life cycle, consisting of attachment, maturation, and dispersion stages, further complicates this issue. Nanocarriers have increasingly been proposed to overcome the challenges posed by biofilms because of their small size, large surface area-to-volume ratio, and physicochemical properties. Due to the unique characteristics of nanocarriers, researchers have used them to facilitate antimicrobial delivery, enhance drug permeability into biofilms, and promote the effects of the administered drugs. Researchers have used various techniques such as quorum-sensing inhibition, EPS matrix breakdown, and targeted drug delivery to treat biofilm infections. Although considerable advancements have been made in treating biofilm infections through the use of nanocarriers, there are still several issues that need to be addressed before moving into clinical practice.