Skip to content
2000
Volume 13, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 1573-4064
  • E-ISSN: 1875-6638

Abstract

Background: Microbes attach to surfaces and form biofilms where they are difficult to eradicate. Here they are embedded in a complex matrix of polymers and are much less sensitive against antibiotics or the immune system. Objective: This is a growing problem, especially for implants; hence, novel approaches are urgently needed to control biofilm infections. Methods: Many of these approaches interfere with the communication between the microbial cells required for biofilm formation and maintenance, a process known as quorum sensing. But microbes have also several mechanisms to disperse their own biofilms if conditions become unfavourable. Results: Recently, it has been found that the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa disperses its mature biofilms using cis-2-decenoic acid. This fatty acid belongs to a group of cis-2-alkenoic acids which are known from several bacteria and are also triggering the communication between different species. In this review the biosynthesis of these compounds, their signal transduction and their role in species-species communication are presented. Examples are discussed where cis-2-alkenoic acids have been used to eradicate biofilms and enhance the sensitivity of pathogens against antibiotics, either alone or in combination with antibiotics. Conclusion: This presents an interesting approach for the control of biofilm infections but it is still in its infancy and a much broader characterization of the effects of cis-2-alkenoic acids are needed before moving to any medical application.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/mc/10.2174/1573406412666160506151032
2017-02-01
2025-05-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/content/journals/mc/10.2174/1573406412666160506151032
Loading
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test