Keywords
Abstract
The review focuses on the analysis of current data on the mechanisms of biofilm resistance to antimicrobial agents and the search for new substances with antibiofilm activity. Based on data in the literature we showed that biofilm is heterogeneous multicellular structure, whose resistance to external factors (including antimicrobial substances) is due to the structure of the extracellular matrix, the presence of a signal system (Quorum sensing), and the level of metabolic activity inside the biofilm. The effectiveness of antibiofilm therapy could be increased by substances that (1) destroy the extracellular matrix or increase its permeability; (2) inhibit the Quorum sensing system and affect the synthesis of autoinductors; (3) are active against the metabolically inactive cells or cause their reversion to an active state. In order to overcome the resistance of bacterial biofilms the targeted molecules are used. In addition, other means are also being considered: the non-antimicrobial agents, the molecules similar to human proteins and microorganisms, and the bacteriophages. This review can serve as a useful starting point for researchers who study the antibiofilm properties of new substances and develop potential drugs.