Nanotechnological Therapeutic Strategies to Treat of Biofilm-Producing Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract

Bacterial biofilm is a form of life composed of bacterial cells adhered to surfaces immersed in a complex self-produced matrix of polysaccharides, extracellular DNAs, and proteins. The formation of biofilms is a regulated and complex process with continuous steps associated with complex mechanisms guided by chemical, physical and biological processes. Biofilms allow the infection to persist, hinder the entry of antimicrobials and promote resistance to antibiotics, making it difficult to treat bacterial infections. In this sense, bacterial biofilms are an emerging problem in global public health, causing great concern to the population, health professionals and the scientific community. Current conventional therapies are inadequate for the safe and effective treatment of biofilms since high doses of antibiotics are required to eradicate biofilms indicating that biofilm treatment needs new therapeutical strategies. Studies show that nanostructures and their association with external physical stimuli are promising alternatives for eradicating biofilms. Thus, this book chapter promotes the compilation of studies regarding the use of nanocarriers and external physical stimuli to treat bacterial biofilm infections.