Clinically Relevant Biofilm Models: A Need to Mimic and Recapitulate the Host Environment

Overview

Journal Biofilm

Date 2022 Dec 26

PMID 36569981

Authors

Heema Kumari Nilesh Vyas

Binbin Xia

Anne Mai-Prochnow

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Biofilm-associated infections are difficult to treat and eradicate because of their increased antimicrobial tolerance. biofilm models have enabled the high throughput testing of an array of differing novel antimicrobials and treatment strategies. However, biofilms formed in these oftentimes basic systems do not resemble biofilms seen . As a result, translatability from the lab to the clinic is poor or limited. To improve translatability, models must better recapitulate the host environment. This review describes and critically evaluates new and innovative models that better mimic the environments of a variety of clinically important, biofilm-associated infections of the skin, oropharynx, lungs, and infections related to indwelling implants and medical devices. This review highlights that many of these models represent considerable advances in the field of biofilm research and help to translate laboratory findings into the clinical practice.

Citing Articles

Nitroreductase-activatable photosensitizers for selective antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

Tung M, Ma T, Lopez-Miranda I, Milstein J, Beharry A RSC Med Chem. 2025; .

PMID: 40060997 PMC: 11883423. DOI: 10.1039/d4md00890a.

Controlling Oral Polymicrobial Biofilm Using Usnic Acid on the Surface of Titanium in the Artificial Saliva Media.

Tabassum N, Khan F, Jeong G, Oh D, Kim Y Antibiotics (Basel). 2025; 14(2).

PMID: 40001359 PMC: 11852094. DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics14020115.

The appropriate nutrient conditions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans dual-species biofilm formation in vitro.

Vavrova P, Jandourek O, Diepoltova A, Nachtigal P, Konecna K Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):183.

PMID: 39747199 PMC: 11696109. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83745-1.

Optimization of Biofilm Formation in In Vitro Conditions Mimicking Stomach.

Krzyzek P, Migdal P, Krzyzanowska B, Duda-Madej A Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(18).

PMID: 39337326 PMC: 11432336. DOI: 10.3390/ijms25189839.

Global challenges and microbial biofilms: Identification of priority questions in biofilm research, innovation and policy.

Coenye T, Ahonen M, Anderson S, Camara M, Chundi P, Fields M Biofilm. 2024; 8:100210.

PMID: 39221168 PMC: 11364012. DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100210.

References

Mehta G, Macek Jr M, Mehta A . Cystic fibrosis across Europe: EuroCareCF analysis of demographic data from 35 countries. J Cyst Fibros. 2010; 9 Suppl 2:S5-S21. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2010.08.002. View

Sanchez M, Llama-Palacios A, Fernandez E, Figuero E, Marin M, Leon R . An in vitro biofilm model associated to dental implants: structural and quantitative analysis of in vitro biofilm formation on different dental implant surfaces. Dent Mater. 2014; 30(10):1161-71. DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2014.07.008. View

Vila T, Rozental S, de Sa Guimaraes C . A new model of in vitro fungal biofilms formed on human nail fragments allows reliable testing of laser and light therapies against onychomycosis. Lasers Med Sci. 2014; 30(3):1031-9. DOI: 10.1007/s10103-014-1689-y. View

Fung C, Naughton S, Turnbull L, Tingpej P, Rose B, Arthur J . Gene expression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a mucin-containing synthetic growth medium mimicking cystic fibrosis lung sputum. J Med Microbiol. 2010; 59(Pt 9):1089-1100. DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.019984-0. View

Spittaels K, Coenye T . Developing an in vitro artificial sebum model to study Propionibacterium acnes biofilms. Anaerobe. 2017; 49:21-29. DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2017.11.002. View

Coenye T, Nelis H . In vitro and in vivo model systems to study microbial biofilm formation. J Microbiol Methods. 2010; 83(2):89-105. DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2010.08.018. View

Zhou W, Zhou X, Huang X, Zhu C, Weir M, Melo M . Antibacterial and remineralizing nanocomposite inhibit root caries biofilms and protect root dentin hardness at the margins. J Dent. 2020; 97:103344. DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2020.103344. View

Sanchez M, Llama-Palacios A, Blanc V, Leon R, Herrera D, Sanz M . Structure, viability and bacterial kinetics of an in vitro biofilm model using six bacteria from the subgingival microbiota. J Periodontal Res. 2011; 46(2):252-60. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2010.01341.x. View

Kommerein N, Doll K, Stumpp N, Stiesch M . Development and characterization of an oral multispecies biofilm implant flow chamber model. PLoS One. 2018; 13(5):e0196967. PMC: 5957423. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196967. View

10.

Marks L, Mashburn-Warren L, Federle M, Hakansson A . Streptococcus pyogenes biofilm growth in vitro and in vivo and its role in colonization, virulence, and genetic exchange. J Infect Dis. 2014; 210(1):25-34. PMC: 4162002. DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu058. View

11.

Rath H, Stumpp S, Stiesch M . Development of a flow chamber system for the reproducible in vitro analysis of biofilm formation on implant materials. PLoS One. 2017; 12(2):e0172095. PMC: 5302373. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172095. View

12.

Schierholz J, Beuth J . Implant infections: a haven for opportunistic bacteria. J Hosp Infect. 2001; 49(2):87-93. DOI: 10.1053/jhin.2001.1052. View

13.

Burkhart C, Burkhart C, Gupta A . Dermatophytoma: Recalcitrance to treatment because of existence of fungal biofilm. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002; 47(4):629-31. DOI: 10.1067/mjd.2002.124699. View

14.

Hoiby N, Bjarnsholt T, Givskov M, Molin S, Ciofu O . Antibiotic resistance of bacterial biofilms. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2010; 35(4):322-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2009.12.011. View

15.

Leyden J . A review of the use of combination therapies for the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003; 49(3 Suppl):S200-10. DOI: 10.1067/s0190-9622(03)01154-x. View

16.

Periasamy S, Kolenbrander P . Central role of the early colonizer Veillonella sp. in establishing multispecies biofilm communities with initial, middle, and late colonizers of enamel. J Bacteriol. 2010; 192(12):2965-72. PMC: 2901697. DOI: 10.1128/JB.01631-09. View

17.

Brandwein M, Steinberg D, Meshner S . Microbial biofilms and the human skin microbiome. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes. 2017; 2:3. PMC: 5460139. DOI: 10.1038/s41522-016-0004-z. View

18.

Quirynen M, Vogels R, Peeters W, van Steenberghe D, Naert I, Haffajee A . Dynamics of initial subgingival colonization of 'pristine' peri-implant pockets. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2006; 17(1):25-37. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2005.01194.x. View

19.

Schmidlin P, Muller P, Attin T, Wieland M, Hofer D, Guggenheim B . Polyspecies biofilm formation on implant surfaces with different surface characteristics. J Appl Oral Sci. 2013; 21(1):48-55. PMC: 3881803. DOI: 10.1590/1678-7757201302312. View

20.

Crabbe A, Ledesma M, Nickerson C . Mimicking the host and its microenvironment in vitro for studying mucosal infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pathog Dis. 2014; 71(1):1-19. PMC: 4096993. DOI: 10.1111/2049-632X.12180. View