@article {pmid42945706,
year = {2026},
author = {Lu, Z and Zhou, Z and Feng, L and Zhu, J},
title = {Psl exopolysaccharide regulates biofilm formation and environmental adaptation in Pseudomonas fluorescens PF07.},
journal = {Microbiological research},
volume = {315},
number = {},
pages = {128786},
doi = {10.1016/j.micres.2026.128786},
pmid = {42945706},
issn = {1618-0623},
abstract = {Pseudomonas fluorescens PF07, a prevalent psychrotrophic spoilage bacterium, relies heavily on robust biofilm formation to persist in food environments and exert spoilage effects. Nevertheless, the distinct contributions of exopolysaccharides to its biofilm maturation and stress adaptation remain unclear. Herein, we systematically characterized the genetic determinants and biological functions of three exopolysaccharides (Psl, alginate and PNAG) in modulating PF07 biofilm development and resistance to food-processing-associated stressors. Single, double, and triple deletion mutants targeting the pslB, alg8, and pgaC genes were constructed to evaluate the contributions of these biosynthetic systems, and transcriptomic analysis was performed to explore the underlying responses. Deletion of pslB markedly impaired biofilm formation, pellicle development, and extracellular matrix production, whereas deficiency of alg8 or pgaC caused only minor phenotypic changes compared with the wild-type strain, indicating that Psl is the primary structural determinant of the PF07 biofilm matrix. Furthermore, double- and triple-mutants lacking pslB exhibited more severe reductions in biofilm biomass and thickness, suggesting that alginate and PNAG make supplementary but secondary contributions to the Psl-dominated biofilm matrix. In addition, ΔpslB exhibited substantially reduced biofilm formation under low temperature and ionic stress and decreased tolerance to sodium hypochlorite and benzalkonium chloride, in contrast with limited alterations for the Δalg8 and ΔpgaC mutants. Consistently, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly weakened in the ΔpslB mutant but largely unaltered in the Δalg8 mutant, indicating that Psl deficiency was associated with reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and suggesting a potential role of Psl in the antioxidant response of PF07. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed significant changes in genes associated with stress adaptation and metabolism, including the upregulation of aqpZ, the downregulation of osmY, and alterations in multiple metabolism-related genes. Thus, these findings demonstrate that Psl is a pivotal structural polysaccharide in the biofilm matrix of P. fluorescens PF07 and plays critical roles in biofilm structure and tolerance to cold, ionic, and oxidative stresses, providing new insights into potential strategies for controlling P. fluorescens biofilms in food-processing environments.},
}

@article {pmid42946263,
year = {2026},
author = {Duduku, S and Keerthi, NS and Ramaswami, S},
title = {Emergence of high partial nitritation-anammox activity in high-rate nitrifying packed bed biofilm reactor under near-mainstream conditions: Insights into microbial activity and interactions.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {136145},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.136145},
pmid = {42946263},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {Although partial nitritation and anammox (PN/AMX) has been successfully established for treating sidestream wastewater, low NH4[+]-N concentration and suppression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are challenges in mainstream wastewater. This study reports the emergence and assessment of PN/AMX-associated activity in single-stage high-rate nitrifying packed bed biofilm reactor (PBBR), operated for ∼ 400 days, with an influent NH4[+]-N concentration close to mainstream, i.e., 100 mg-N/L, under relatively low hydraulic retention time (∼1.6 h). With gradually increasing volumetric ammonium loading rates (V-ALR) from 300 to 1500 g-N/m[3]·d during initial stages of operation, dominance of ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and NOB was achieved, offering complete nitrification. During prolonged operation at V-ALR of 1500 g-N/m[3]·d, a gradual reduction in dissolved oxygen (DO) saturation in the bulk liquid (at constant aeration rates) to below 45% coincided with NO2[-]-N accumulation, reduced NO3[-]-N formation, and emergence of inferred PN/AMX associated activity. Under DO limited conditions, a peak inferred AMX activity of around 30 mg-N/L·h was observed, with an estimated activity-based doubling time of ∼ 28 d. Microbial community analysis was consistent with these observations, wherein significant reduction in abundance of NOB (Nitrospira) was observed during AMX phase (4.6%) as compared to high-nitrification stage (59.8%). Also, during the AMX phase, the reactor was enriched with Candidatus Brocadia genus with a relative abundance of 20.9%. While these preliminary observations suggest the potential of PBBR for high-rate PN/AMX associated activity, further systematic investigations and validation using real wastewater are needed.},
}

@article {pmid42946547,
year = {2026},
author = {Drago, L and De La Motte, LR},
title = {Chronic Wounds as Biofilm Ecosystems: Modernizing Microbiology Beyond Planktonic Paradigms.},
journal = {Advances in wound care},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {21621918261501846},
doi = {10.1177/21621918261501846},
pmid = {42946547},
issn = {2162-1918},
abstract = {SIGNIFICANCE: Chronic wound infections, including diabetic foot infections, are increasingly recognized as biofilm-associated polymicrobial ecosystems rather than simple planktonic infections. However, routine microbiological workflows remain largely optimized for acute infections, creating a mismatch between laboratory diagnostics and the biological organization of chronic infection.

RECENT ADVANCES: Growing evidence from biofilm biology, microbial ecology, and molecular microbiology has demonstrated that chronic wound infections are characterized by structured microbial communities, physiological heterogeneity, and enhanced antimicrobial tolerance. Advanced diagnostic approaches have improved understanding of microbial diversity and biofilm-associated persistence beyond what is captured by conventional culture alone.

CRITICAL ISSUES: Conventional microbiological workflows may incompletely resolve the microbial populations most relevant to chronicity, recurrence, and treatment failure. Key limitations include sampling strategy, tissue processing, incubation conditions, anaerobic recovery, and reliance on planktonic susceptibility testing. The discrepancy between minimum inhibitory concentration-based testing and biofilm-associated antimicrobial tolerance highlights an important gap between laboratory assessment and infection biology.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Modernization of chronic wound microbiology requires a transition from pathogen-centered planktonic models toward biofilm-aware, ecosystem-oriented approaches. Integration of optimized sampling, culture-based diagnostics, selective molecular tools, surgical source control, and antimicrobial stewardship may improve diagnostic resolution, support more rational antimicrobial use, and enhance long-term clinical outcomes.[Figure: see text].},
}

@article {pmid42947133,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, S and Lei, J and Liu, X and Ou, Z and Tong, B and Liang, H and Wu, D and Zhang, Z and Wei, J and Wang, H and Xu, H and Peng, S and Qian, Y and Chen, Z and Jia, Y and Tan, L and Xie, L and Yang, C and Feng, X},
title = {Microwave-responsive thermoelectric microneedles for efficient biofilm eradication and sustained repair of infected wounds.},
journal = {Journal of nanobiotechnology},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42947133},
issn = {1477-3155},
support = {No. 82272459//The National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; No. 2026AFC1425//Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Microwaves ; Animals ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry ; Mice ; Zinc Oxide/chemistry/pharmacology ; Microneedle Drug Delivery ; *Wound Healing/drug effects ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology ; Nanocomposites/chemistry ; *Wound Infection/therapy/microbiology ; Needles ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Bismuth/chemistry/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {Infected wounds present a high clinical incidence, and current treatments are inadequate in both effectively eliminating bacterial biofilms and continuously promoting tissue regeneration. To address these challenges, we develop a microwave-responsive thermoelectric nanocomposite of zinc oxide-bismuth telluride (ZnO-Bi2Te3) via hydrothermal synthesis for the treatment of biofilm infected wounds. The heterointerface within the nanocomposite enhances phonon scattering, while the ZnO component provides additional charge carrier transport pathways, collectively significantly improving the thermoelectric conversion performance. Under microwave irradiation, the ZnO-Bi2Te3 rapidly generates substantial amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), enabling efficient penetration and eradication of biofilms with an antibacterial rate of 99.2%. After irradiation ceases, the ZnO-Bi2Te3 utilizes the wound-environment temperature difference to continuously produce thermoelectric signals. The continuous thermoelectric signals, in synergy with the release of zinc ions, activate the MAPK pathway and promote protein synthesis, processing, and transport, thereby enhancing cell migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis, leading to continuous tissue regeneration. In a mouse model of MRSA-biofilm infected wounds, the ZnO-Bi2Te3 loaded microneedles effectively clear the infection and accelerate healing. This study develops a microwave-responsive thermoelectric system for infected wounds through efficient biofilm clearance and sustained pro-regeneration.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Microwaves
Animals
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry
Mice
Zinc Oxide/chemistry/pharmacology
Microneedle Drug Delivery
*Wound Healing/drug effects
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology
Nanocomposites/chemistry
*Wound Infection/therapy/microbiology
Needles
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
Bismuth/chemistry/pharmacology

@article {pmid42948233,
year = {2026},
author = {Atighehchian, M and Shabani, M and Abedinifar, Z and Manoochehri, Z and Zarei-Ghanavati, M},
title = {Molecular Identification of Biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus in Contact Lens Storage Solutions.},
journal = {Journal of ophthalmic & vision research},
volume = {21},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42948233},
issn = {2008-2010},
abstract = {PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus in contact lens storage solutions (CLSS) used for both cosmetic and vision-correcting purposes. Microbiological assays and molecular methods were used to detect biofilm-associated genes, specifically icaA and icaD. The findings could provide molecular evidence of contamination in CLSS and identify behavioral risk factors associated with biofilm-forming strains.

METHODS: A total of 162 CLSS samples were collected from asymptomatic students living in dormitories and hospital staff. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using standard culture methods and biochemical tests. Biofilm formation was evaluated phenotypically, and molecular confirmation of S. aureus and biofilm-associated genes (icaA and icaD) was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between contamination and lens type, and also user behaviors, including lens-washing practices, showering, and swimming while wearing lenses, were analyzed.

RESULTS: This study evaluated 162 CLSS samples from 162 asymptomatic participants (mean age: 24.8 ± 4.2 years). Of these, 148 subjects (91.35%) were females. Staphylococcus aureus contamination was detected in7 of 162 samples (4.32%),and 4 of the 7 isolates (57.14%) carried biofilm-associated icaA and icaD genes. Staphylococcus aureus contamination was found in 5 of 108 CLSS used for vision-correcting purposes (4.62%; P = 0.53). Contamination was significantly associated with lack of lens washing before wearing, which occurred in 4 of 141 participants (2.83%; P = 0.005), and lack of hand washing before handling contact lenses, which was observed in 7 of 159 participants (4.40%; P = 0.043).

CONCLUSION: This study provides molecular evidence that CLSS can act as reservoirs for biofilm-producing S. aureus. The detection of icaA- and icaD-positive strains highlights the risk of persistent contamination and the potential development of contact lens-related infectious keratitis. Modifiable behaviors, especially proper lens washing, may significantly reduce the risk of contamination with biofilm-producing S. aureus.},
}

@article {pmid42948688,
year = {2026},
author = {Asghari Ozma, M and Fallahi Alileh, N and Moaddab, SR},
title = {Antibacterial Activity, Biofilm Inhibition, and Modulation of Virulence-Associated Gene Expression by Probiotic-Derived Cell-Free Supernatants Against Multidrug-Resistant Serratia marcescens.},
journal = {Infection and drug resistance},
volume = {19},
number = {},
pages = {647738},
pmid = {42948688},
issn = {1178-6973},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Serratia marcescens is an important opportunistic pathogen associated with persistent healthcare-associated infections, partly because of its capacity to form biofilms and express virulence-associated factors. Probiotic-derived cell-free supernatants (CFSs) contain secreted metabolites that may provide non-antibiotic approaches for controlling resistant bacteria. However, comparative data on bacterial- and yeast-derived CFSs against S. marcescens remain limited.

METHODS: CFSs were prepared from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium longum, and Saccharomyces boulardii. Metabolite profiles were examined by GC-MS. Antibacterial activity was assessed by disk diffusion and broth microdilution. Biofilm-formation inhibition was evaluated by crystal violet staining at 1/2 and 1/4 MIC. Expression of fimA, bsmA, and shlA was examined by qRT-PCR, and HEK293 cell viability was assessed by MTT.

RESULTS: All four CFSs inhibited S. marcescens growth in a concentration-dependent manner. L. rhamnosus GG showed the greatest activity, with a MIC/MBC of 0.375/0.75 mg/mL and a 26-mm inhibition zone at 12 mg/mL. At 1/2 MIC, biofilm-formation inhibition was 71%, 57%, 47%, and 32%, respectively. All four CFSs significantly reduced fimA and bsmA expression, whereas shlA expression was significantly reduced by L. rhamnosus GG, B. coagulans, and B. longum, but not by S. boulardii. HEK293 cell viability remained above 80% under the tested conditions.

CONCLUSION: Probiotic-derived CFSs demonstrated antibacterial and biofilm-formation inhibitory activities and were associated with reduced expression of selected virulence-associated genes in S. marcescens. L. rhamnosus GG-derived CFSs showed the strongest overall activity, supporting further mechanistic and in vivo studies.},
}

@article {pmid42931160,
year = {2026},
author = {Sung, K and Park, M and Chon, J and Kweon, O and Khan, S and Foley, SL},
title = {Proteomic Insights into Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Adaptation of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Subinhibitory Levofloxacin, Rifampicin, and Combination Treatment.},
journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42931160},
issn = {2076-0817},
support = {E0781511//United States Food and Drug Administration/ ; },
mesh = {*Staphylococcus epidermidis/drug effects/physiology/metabolism ; *Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Rifampin/pharmacology ; *Levofloxacin/pharmacology ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Proteomics ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism ; *Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; *Proteome/analysis ; Adaptation, Physiological ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects ; },
abstract = {Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms are inherently tolerant to antimicrobial treatment, contributing to the persistence and recurrence of biofilm-associated infections. In this study, we examined the phenotypic and proteomic responses of S. epidermidis ATCC 35984 biofilms following exposure to subinhibitory concentrations (1/8× MIC) of levofloxacin, rifampicin, and their combination. Phenotypic analyses revealed clear differences among the treatments. Rifampicin significantly reduced the number of viable biofilm-associated cells, whereas levofloxacin alone had little effect. The combination of rifampicin and levofloxacin produced the most pronounced antibiofilm activity, significantly reducing both biofilm biomass and viability. These findings were supported by confocal laser scanning microscopy, which showed the greatest loss of viable cells and biofilm integrity in the combination-treated biofilms. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis demonstrated distinct treatment-specific adaptive responses. Rifampicin, either alone or in combination with levofloxacin, triggered broadly increased abundance of proteins involved in translation, energy production, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, ATP-binding cassette transport, and quorum sensing. In contrast, levofloxacin predominantly suppressed proteins associated with central metabolism, transcription, translation, and biosynthetic pathways. Hierarchical clustering further showed that the proteomic profile of the combination treatment closely resembled that of rifampicin alone, suggesting that rifampicin was the dominant driver of proteomic remodeling. Expression pattern network analysis identified a conserved stress-response signature comprising Fhs, YdaG, PerR, and YcsE across all treatment conditions. Notably, the multidrug efflux pumps NorA and NorC showed decreased protein abundance across all treatment conditions, indicating a potential reduction in efflux-mediated resistance under sub-MIC antibiotic exposure. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that rifampicin retains substantial antibiofilm activity at subinhibitory concentrations and elicits extensive metabolic adaptation, whereas levofloxacin primarily induces a metabolically repressed state. The enhanced activity of the rifampicin-levofloxacin combination appears to arise from complementary effects on biofilm viability and cellular physiology. This study provides new insights into the adaptive responses of S. epidermidis biofilms to sublethal antibiotic stress and highlights the potential of rifampicin-based combination therapies for the management of biofilm-associated infections.},
}

*Staphylococcus epidermidis/drug effects/physiology/metabolism
*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Rifampin/pharmacology
*Levofloxacin/pharmacology
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Proteomics
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism
*Drug Resistance, Bacterial
*Proteome/analysis
Adaptation, Physiological
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects

@article {pmid42931204,
year = {2026},
author = {Malaş İren, H and Mete, E},
title = {Type III Secretion System Genotypes and Biofilm-Forming Capacity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream Isolates: An Exploratory Analysis of the exoU-Fluoroquinolone Association.},
journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42931204},
issn = {2076-0817},
support = {2020TIPF006//Pamukkale University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit./ ; 2020TIPF006 dated 19/02/2020//Pamukkale University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit./ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development/drug effects ; *Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genetics/drug effects/isolation & purification/physiology ; Humans ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology ; Genotype ; *Fluoroquinolones/pharmacology ; *Type III Secretion Systems/genetics ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; *Bacteremia/microbiology ; },
abstract = {The pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bloodstream infection is shaped by biofilm formation and the type III secretion system (T3SS). We characterised the biofilm-associated and T3SS genotypes of 100 non-duplicate bloodstream isolates and tested whether either trait co-segregates with antimicrobial resistance. Biofilm was assessed by Congo red agar (CRA) and the quantitative microtiter plate (MTP) assay; biofilm-associated (pslA, pelA, ppyR) and T3SS effector (exoS, exoY, exoT, exoU) genes by conventional PCR; and susceptibility by an automated system interpreted with EUCAST criteria. Biofilm was detected in 84% of isolates by MTP and 25% by CRA (Cohen's κ = 0.16). pslA was present in 100%, pelA and ppyR in 99%; all isolates carried exoY and exoT, exoS was found in 88% and exoU in 27%. Multidrug resistance was 15%. Biofilm phenotype was unrelated to resistance. In contrast, levofloxacin resistance was more frequent among exoU-positive isolates (29.6% vs. 9.6%; p = 0.024), and this association survived adjustment for biofilm phenotype and hospital unit in multivariable analysis (adjusted OR 3.90, 95% CI 1.20-12.67). However, the association did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons or after excluding exoS/exoU co-positive isolates. The exoU-fluoroquinolone relationship is therefore presented as an exploratory, hypothesis-generating finding that requires confirmation by reference susceptibility testing and clonal characterisation.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development/drug effects
*Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genetics/drug effects/isolation & purification/physiology
Humans
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology
Genotype
*Fluoroquinolones/pharmacology
*Type III Secretion Systems/genetics
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Bacterial Proteins/genetics
Drug Resistance, Bacterial
*Bacteremia/microbiology

@article {pmid42933340,
year = {2026},
author = {Lin, SH and Gagliano, MC and Kuntke, P and Hamelers, HVM and de Smit, SM},
title = {Integrating hydrogen delivery and in situ water removal for biomethanation in a hollow fiber membrane biofilm reactor (HF-MBfR).},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {309},
number = {Pt A},
pages = {127129},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2026.127129},
pmid = {42933340},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {Biomethanation offers a sustainable pathway for renewable energy storage and for the utilization of captured CO2. Nevertheless, challenges remained with H2 mass transfer limitations from the gas to the liquid phase and nutrient dilution caused by metabolic water production, which will increase the demand for nutrient supplementation. This study demonstrates the use of a hollow fiber membrane biofilm reactor (HF-MBfR) to advance biomethanation by integrating H2 delivery through gas-permeable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes with in situ water removal. This design enables high-rate thermophilic operation (55°C) without gas-liquid mixing or frequent nutrient addition. The system achieved a record volumetric methane production rate of 3.2 L·L[-1]·d[-1] in biomethanation MBfR along with 95% CH4 purity and near-complete CO2/H2 conversion. Re-inoculation rapidly and sustainably recovered performance losses due to nutrient limitations, outperforming the addition of synthetic supplements. Periodic lumen side purging removed a water volume equivalent to 60-65% of the metabolic water and mitigated excessive bulk liquid dilution, while minimal ammonium concentration > 0.6 g·L[-1] was found essential for pH buffering (6.8-8.3) against CO2 partial pressure variation (0.004-0.21 atm) in the HF-MBfR. The biofilm was dominated by Methanothermobacter and Coprothermobacter, which facilitate the high-rate and high-efficiency conversion of CO2/H2 into methane. These results demonstrate that HF-MBfR is a robust and scalable platform for efficient CO2 biomethanation and set the stage for further optimization of membrane layouts and surface modifications to support robust biofilm development and enhanced methane productivity.},
}

@article {pmid42934114,
year = {2026},
author = {Yu, Z and Zhou, B and Meng, X and Wang, L and Huang, S and Cao, H},
title = {[Withaferin A inhibits biofilm formation and adhesion of neonatal meningitis Escherichia coli by downregulating ibeR expression].},
journal = {Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University},
volume = {46},
number = {10},
pages = {2548-2557},
pmid = {42934114},
issn = {1673-4254},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; Humans ; *Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects ; *Escherichia coli/drug effects ; *Withanolides/pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; *Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Endothelial Cells ; *Meningitis, Escherichia coli/microbiology ; Infant, Newborn ; Cells, Cultured ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of Withaferin A (WA) on biofilm formation and adhesion of neonatal meningitis Escherichia coli (NMEC) and the regulatory role of ibeR.

METHODS: CCK-8 assay was used to determine the sub-inhibitory concentration of WA in cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). The NMEC strain RS218 (E44) and an ibeR deletion mutant (BR2) were treated with 1, 2, and 5 μmol/L WA, and the changes in biofilm formation were evaluated by crystal violet staining and SBF assay; the expression levels of ibeR, ibeA, and ibeT were detected by qPCR. HBMECs co-cultured with E44 or BR2 were examined for bacterial adhesion, and indole production in the supernatants and the effect of exogenous indole on biofilm formation were evaluated.

RESULTS: Based on cytotoxicity test, 2 μmol/L WA was used for subsequent experiments. WA dose-dependently reduced biofilm formation in E44 but not in the BR2 strain but did not significantly inhibit proliferation of either strain. WA treatment significantly downregulated ibeR expression in the bacteria. Deletion of ibeR did not affect bacterial growth but significantly decreased biofilm formation and adhesion to HBMECs. WA treatment also reduced cell adhesion ability of E44, which was not observed in BR2. WA significantly increased indole production and decreased biofilm content in E44 but not in BR2.

CONCLUSIONS: IbeR regulates NMEC biofilm formation and adhesion likely by modulating indole production. WA dose-dependently inhibits biofilm and adhesion of NMEC by downregulating ibeR without affecting bacterial growth.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
Humans
*Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects
*Escherichia coli/drug effects
*Withanolides/pharmacology
Down-Regulation
*Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Endothelial Cells
*Meningitis, Escherichia coli/microbiology
Infant, Newborn
Cells, Cultured

@article {pmid42934652,
year = {2026},
author = {Ye, JB and Huang, M and Cai, X and Li, Y and Zhang, S and Zeng, K and Chen, Q},
title = {Efficacy of fosfomycin tromethamine powder in preventing biofilm-forming bacterial colonization on double-j stents in patients with upper urinary tract calculi.},
journal = {BMC urology},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42934652},
issn = {1471-2490},
support = {No. 2024GZL14//the High-Quality Development Project of the First People's Hospital of Zigong City/ ; No.2024-YKY-03-13//the Zigong Key Science and Technology Plan (Collaborative Innovation Project of Zigong Academy of Medical Sciences) in 2024/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Biofilms/drug effects ; Female ; Male ; *Stents/microbiology ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; *Fosfomycin/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Adult ; Powders ; *Ureteral Calculi/surgery ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; *Kidney Calculi ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fosfomycin tromethamine powder (FMT) for preventing biofilm-forming bacterial colonization on double-J (DJ) stents in patients with upper urinary tract calculi.

METHODS: From January 2024 to June 2025, we prospectively enrolled 200 adult patients with upper urinary tract calculi undergoing double-J stent placement after endoscopic laser lithotripsy at our tertiary medical center and randomly assigned them in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental or control group (n = 100 per group). Patients in the experimental group received a single oral dose of 3 g FMT one day before double-J stent placement and on postoperative days 7 and 15. Patients in the control group received intravenous cefuroxime (CXM), 1.5 g per dose, administered twice daily one day before stent placement and on postoperative days 1 and 2. Stent surface samples were collected at the time of DJ stent removal for quantitative bacterial biofilm culture, microbial species identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Baseline clinical characteristics, Double-J Stent Symptom Score (DJSS) (assessed during indwelling), SF-36 Health Survey quality-of-life score, numerical rating scale (NRS) pain score, and urine analysis parameters at stent removal were systematically recorded. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26.0, with statistical significance defined as a two-sided p-value < 0.05.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the experimental and control groups. Biofilm-forming bacterial colonization was identified in 49 individuals (24.5%). The colonization rate was significantly lower in the experimental group (17/100, 17%) than in the control group (32/100, 32%) (χ² = 6.082, P = 0.014). The experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements over the control group in preventing ureteral stent syndrome, reducing postoperative pyrexia incidence, decreasing urine leukocyte esterase positivity rate, lowering urinary leukocyte count, alleviating postoperative pain (assessed using a numerical rating scale), and improving SF-36 health survey quality-of-life scores (all P < 0.05). The three most frequently isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli (E. coli) (n = 17, 34.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 8, 16.3%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 5, 10.2%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated that Gram-negative bacilli exhibited high-level resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, and ceftriaxone. In contrast, these isolates remained highly susceptible to β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations (cefoperazone/sulbactam and piperacillin/tazobactam), carbapenems (meropenem, imipenem, and ertapenem), cefotetan, nitrofurantoin, and fosfomycin. Gram-positive cocci exhibited high-level resistance to oxacillin, penicillin G, cefoxitin, and erythromycin. Conversely, these isolates demonstrated consistently high susceptibility to linezolid, vancomycin, tigecycline, and rifampicin. Fungal isolates showed high susceptibility to itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole, 5-fluorouracil, and amphotericin B.

CONCLUSION: When both groups received a fixed 3-day drug regimen, Compared to CXM, FMT may reduce the proportion of upper urinary tract calculi patients with biofilm-forming bacteria on DJ stents in this region. These findings support FMT-rather than CXM-as the preferred agent for targeted prophylaxis in this region-specific patient population and underscore the importance of rational antibiotic use. Optimizing infection prevention strategies requires integration of antimicrobial susceptibility test results with population-specific clinical characteristics, including established infection risk factors.},
}

Humans
*Biofilms/drug effects
Female
Male
*Stents/microbiology
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage/therapeutic use
*Fosfomycin/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/pharmacology
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Adult
Powders
*Ureteral Calculi/surgery
Aged
Treatment Outcome
*Kidney Calculi

@article {pmid42936052,
year = {2026},
author = {Patch, CA and Etter, AJ},
title = {Comparative transcriptomics of outbreak-associated Salmonella Heidelberg, Typhimurium, and monophasic Typhimurium reveals differential expression of stress tolerance, virulence, and biofilm-associated genes.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1895105},
pmid = {42936052},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica remains a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide, with certain serovars more commonly implicated in outbreaks linked to specific food matrices. However, gene expression differences between distinct serovars remain poorly understood, which may limit the ability to reduce the overall outbreak and illness burden. This study presents an RNA-Seq evaluation of six outbreak-associated, stationary-phase S. enterica transcriptomes representing serovars Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Typhimurium, and monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium (I 4,[5],12:i-). Analysis of differential gene expression (padj < 0.05 and |log2FoldChange| > 1) revealed upregulation of genes associated with enhanced pathogenicity among all strains; however, Salmonella Heidelberg exhibited a transcriptional profile consistent with enhanced invasion, iron metabolism, and biofilm formation, while Salmonella Typhimurium and monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium showed transcriptional profiles consistent with stress response and survival. Transcriptome patterns were concordant with previous research evaluating phenotypic stress responses, in which Salmonella Heidelberg demonstrated prolonged survival at lethal temperatures and enhanced biofilm-forming capabilities. Overall, these findings suggest that outbreak-associated strains may employ distinct transcriptional strategies that could contribute to serovar-specific outbreak characteristics. This work supports risk assessment modeling to ultimately improve food safety interventions and reduce the public health burden of S. enterica.},
}

@article {pmid42936473,
year = {2026},
author = {Tian, S and Wang, Z and Gao, D and Li, A},
title = {Piezocatalytic Therapy for Periodontitis: From Biofilm Disruption to Immunomodulatory Tissue Regeneration.},
journal = {Chem & bio engineering},
volume = {3},
number = {10},
pages = {842-864},
pmid = {42936473},
issn = {2836-967X},
abstract = {Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by an interplay between microbial dysbiosis and dysregulated host immune responses. Traditional therapies, including scaling and root planing combined with localized antimicrobial administration, often struggle with the drug resistance of structured biofilms and persistent inflammation. Piezocatalysis is an emerging on-demand intervention that, in situ, transforms mechanical energy from both endogenous and exogenous sources into therapeutic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bioelectric signals. Unlike conventional antibiotics, these locally generated ROS can degrade the biofilm matrix to eradicate resistant pathogens, while the concurrent bioelectric cues resolve persistent inflammation, offering a promising solution for periodontitis treatment. This review delineates the evolution of piezoelectric biomaterials and analyzes activation strategies tailored for the oral microenvironment. Key clinical translation bottlenecks, including the protein corona effect and biofilm penetration barriers, are critically addressed. Furthermore, synergistic methods that integrate nanocatalytic therapy and immune engineering strategies are highlighted to modulate the periodontal immune microenvironment. By leveraging stimuli-responsive elements and biomimetic materials, piezocatalytic platforms are evolving from passive bactericidal agents into bioactive modulators capable of simultaneously eradicating pathogens and guiding tissue healing. This shift marks a transition from disease control toward the precise reconstruction of periodontal homeostasis and functional tissue regeneration.},
}

@article {pmid42937325,
year = {2026},
author = {Brahma, U and Suresh, A and Kamila, A and Usha, S and Arun Kumar, SV and Baddi, H and Singothu, S and Sharma, P and Bandaru, RK and Suravaram, S and Mane, MS and Bhandari, V},
title = {Characterization of clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii and comparative proteomic profiling among strong and weak biofilm formers.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0106726},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.01067-26},
pmid = {42937325},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Acinetobacter baumannii, a critical priority pathogen, is also notable for its biofilm-forming abilities on medical devices like ventilators, catheters, and surgical drain tubes. The biofilm formation causes increased tolerance against antibiotics, making treatment difficult. The clinical isolates of A. baumannii present varied biofilm-forming capacity; hence, understanding the molecular determinants responsible for strong biofilm is crucial. The present study aims to characterize the antibiotic and biofilm-forming profile of 25 clinical isolates of A. baumannii and compare the proteome profiling of strong and weak biofilm-forming isolates to identify therapeutic targets. We observed n = 23 of the isolates as multidrug resistant, and n = 13 were forming strong biofilms. Comparative proteomic profiling revealed 42 differentially regulated proteins. In the strong biofilm-forming isolate new lipoprotein A (NLPA), uL16, DNA gyrase B, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and purL were found to be upregulated, highlighting a dynamic reprogramming of cellular functions that promotes biofilm formation, stress adaptation, and immune evasion. In contrast, EF-Tu, ribosome hibernation factors, and T6SS components were downregulated, suggesting a lack of biosynthesis and cellular adaptability. These findings suggest a metabolic downshift and a possible energy conservation mechanism under conditions less favorable for strong biofilm development. Additionally, several uncharacterized proteins were identified, highlighting potential novel factors in biofilm regulation and virulence that warrant further investigation. The proteomics data correlated with qPCR findings, providing support for the unknown regulators of biofilm formation that were identified in this study. Key proteins, such as NLPA, 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine synthase, and DNA gyrase B emerged as potential therapeutic targets that may be used for drug discovery.

IMPORTANCE: Acinetobacter baumannii has progressively evolved into a serious cause of both hospital and community-acquired infections. This bacterium's resilience to harsh conditions, bacterial dormancy within biofilms, antibiotic resistance, and survival on inanimate surfaces contribute to its ability to cause chronic, hard-to-eradicate infections. The molecular determinants underlying variations in biofilm-forming capacity among clinical isolates remain insufficiently understood. This study addresses this gap by identifying key molecular adaptations associated with strong biofilm formation. By uncovering pathways linked to biofilm persistence, this work provides valuable insights into bacterial survival strategies and highlights potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. These findings lay the groundwork for the development of new anti-biofilm strategies aimed at improving treatment outcomes and combating antimicrobial resistance.},
}

@article {pmid42937465,
year = {2026},
author = {Song, K and Wang, J and Huang, S and Pan, Y and Xiao, F and Wang, Y and Xiang, C and Liang, B and Li, Z and Liu, W and Gao, SH and Wang, A},
title = {In Situ Antibiotic Accumulation on Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Roles of Biofilm Colonization, Water Chemistry, and Substrate Aging.},
journal = {Environmental science & technology},
volume = {60},
number = {42},
pages = {30197-30209},
doi = {10.1021/acs.est.6c07694},
pmid = {42937465},
issn = {1520-5851},
support = {2024A1515010085//Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province/ ; 2025TS39//State Key Laboratory of Urban-rural Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology/ ; 52230004//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 52293441//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 52321005//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; GXWD20231127195344001//Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission/ ; JCYJ20241202123735045//Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission/ ; SYSPG20241211173610011//Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms ; *Wastewater/chemistry ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; *Microplastics ; Adsorption ; Water Purification ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; },
abstract = {Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics co-occur in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), yet pristine-polymer adsorption does not adequately capture accumulation on field-aged MPs. We performed 3- and 12-month in situ deployment of polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and polycaprolactone (PCL) in WWTP oxidation and disinfection ponds along with sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and tetracycline (TC) adsorption experiments. Surface antibiotic loadings increased from 6.91-34.18 ng kg-1 at 3 months to 1.27 × 104-2.87 × 105 ng kg-1 at 12 months, while surface-associated antibiotic profiles showed limited overlap with contemporaneous water-phase profiles. PHA had the highest 12-month burdens in both ponds, whereas the variable behavior of PCL showed that biodegradability alone did not explain accumulation. On 3-month biofilm-colonized MPs, adsorption capacities were 0.06-0.27 mg g-1 for SMX and 0.01-2.07 mg g-1 for TC, and across polymers, higher biofilm biomass did not translate into higher adsorption. Isotherm and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy analyses resolved binding modes: SMX retention involved partitioning-dominated weak interactions, whereas TC bound interface, specifically via ester, carbonyl, and amide groups, on polymer and biofilm domains. TC adsorption was strongly associated with O/C ratio (ρ = 0.940, p < 0.01) and SMX with polysaccharide content (ρ = 0.727, p < 0.01), whereas pH and representative ions modulated these compound-specific adsorption pathways through distinct interfacial mechanisms. After biofilm removal, TC adsorption on aged MPs was associated more closely with roughness and wettability than with BET surface area or O/C ratio. These findings support a dynamic-interface framework in which biofilm colonization, water chemistry, and substrate aging collectively influence adsorption on field-aged MPs.},
}

*Biofilms
*Wastewater/chemistry
*Anti-Bacterial Agents
Water Pollutants, Chemical
*Microplastics
Adsorption
Water Purification
Waste Disposal, Fluid

@article {pmid42938682,
year = {2026},
author = {Falconi, LBR and Moisés, LS and Coelho, SRG and Queiroz, JFC and Maciel, GG and Oliveira, LP and Aguayo, S and Pero, AC},
title = {Single-Cell Adhesion, Biofilm Formation, and Disinfectant Susceptibility of Candida albicans on CAD/CAM-Manufactured Occlusal Splint Resins.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42938682},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {2025/20136-1//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo/ ; #1260300//Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo/ ; #EQY230010//Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo/ ; },
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Occlusal splints used for bruxism prevention can accumulate Candida albicans biofilms, highlighting the need to evaluate disinfectant efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the nanomechanical properties and nanoadhesion force of C. albicans cells and the efficacy of disinfectant solutions on three occlusal splint resins: 3D Bio-Splint (3D-printed), EvoBlock Monocor (milled), and Vipicril (conventional heat-polymerized resin, control).

METHODS: Circular specimens (10 × 1.2 mm; n = 60 per resin for the microbiological assays) were polished, immersed in artificial saliva for 56 h, and subjected to 70 brushing cycles to simulate one week of use. After mature C. albicans biofilm formation, specimens were disinfected for 10 min with 0.25% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine, sodium perborate (Corega Tabs), 0.1% PHMB, or PBS (control). CFU/mL counts, XTT assay, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed. The surface roughness, Young's modulus, and real-time adhesion of individual C. albicans cells onto the resins were measured by employing an atomic force microscopy (AFM) and AFM-based single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS) with functionalized C. albicans probes.

RESULTS: The 3D-printed resin was the roughest material. Single-cell adhesion was characterized descriptively: the force and energy distributions obtained on the milled resin were shifted towards lower values in all four cell probes, whereas those obtained on the conventional and 3D-printed resins were similar. For biofilm formation, resin type, disinfection protocol, and their interaction significantly affected outcomes (p < 0.001). The printed resin showed the highest microbial load in the control group (63.4 × 10[6] CFU/mL), whereas the milled resin showed the lowest (3.9 × 10[5] CFU/mL). Chlorhexidine eliminated CFU counts in all resins, although residual metabolic activity ranged from 10.4% to 40.4%. PHMB on the printed resin showed the greatest discrepancy between residual CFU (4.9% of the control) and cell viability (93.4%), suggesting the persistence of metabolically active cells despite the reduction in cultivable microorganisms. The AFM nanocharacterization showed median Young's modulus values of 9.92 GPa for the milled resin, 6.44 GPa for the 3D-printed resin, and 4.92 GPa for the conventional resin.

CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-printed resin showed the highest surface roughness at nanoscale and was more susceptible to microbial colonization than the milled resin and more resistant to the effect of the disinfectants. Chlorhexidine was the most effective disinfectant, since it reduced the CFU to zero and significantly reduced the metabolic activity of C. albicans for all the occlusal splint resins.},
}

@article {pmid42938691,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, W and Zheng, P and He, B and Li, Q},
title = {Shared Resistance, Phage-Receptor, and Biofilm Determinants in Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii: A Bibliometric and Gene-Network Analysis of Phage Cocktail Research.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42938691},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {H2025405014//Hebei Provincial Department of Science and Technology/ ; 242W7707Z//Hebei Provincial Department of Science and Technology/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial resistance has renewed interest in bacteriophage cocktails as antibacterial and adjunctive agents, but the global research landscape and the bacterial determinants that constrain cocktail performance have not been mapped within a single framework. We quantified global phage-cocktail research and tested whether antibiotic-resistance, phage-receptor, and biofilm gene sets converge on shared genes in three Gram-negative pathogens representing three bacterial orders.

METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection was searched on 5 July 2026 (query "phage" and "cocktail"). After deduplication and screening, 1598 articles and reviews (1992-2026) were analyzed with bibliometric workflows, citation-burst and co-citation analyses, and a focused China-United States comparison. Because these are the two leading producers and represent the dominant biocontrol and clinical research models, the comparison is deliberately restricted to them and is not presented as a global ranking. Resistance (R), phage receptor/defense (P), and biofilm (B) gene sets were curated for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Escherichia coli K-12, and Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978; overlaps were tested by one-sided hypergeometric tests with Benjamini-Hochberg correction and against size-matched control gene sets, followed by STRING protein-protein interaction and KEGG/GO enrichment. Orthologous conservation was assessed with KEGG Orthology in addition to gene-symbol matching.

RESULTS: Annual output grew from 2 records (1992-1996) to 873 (2022-2026; 54.6% of the corpus), led by the USA (322 records) and China (292). Phage-receptor-biofilm overlaps were strongly enriched in all three species (29, 7, and 28 genes; odds ratios 47.0, 8.1, and 31.7; all P ≤ 7.6 × 10[-5]), whereas resistance-phage-receptor overlaps were strongly enriched in PAO1 (18 genes; odds ratio 17.7) and K-12 (26 genes; odds ratio 30.2) but not in A. baumannii (9 genes; odds ratio 1.8; P = 0.088). Four unrelated control gene sets showed no enrichment in any species (odds ratios 0-1.9; P ≥ 0.42). Candidate networks formed alginate, Psl-Pel, lipopolysaccharide-modification, and SOS/porin modules; KEGG enrichment converged on biofilm formation and cationic antimicrobial peptide resistance; 14 of the 18 symbol-level conserved genes were corroborated by shared KEGG Orthology assignments.

CONCLUSIONS: Phage-cocktail research has entered a phase of rapid growth, with hotspots converging on combination therapy and formulation. Biofilm-matrix synthesis and surface-appendage assembly form a transferable interface between phage adsorption and biofilm formation across three bacterial orders, whereas the coupling between antibiotic resistance and phage-receptor genes is lineage-restricted. Because the R, P, and B sets overlap by construction, these convergences are hypothesis-generating and require experimental validation before they can be used as design rules.},
}

@article {pmid42938725,
year = {2026},
author = {Hernando-Gozalo, M and Mayo-Magro, P and Rescalvo-Casas, C and Camina-Vega, Á and Prieto-Pérez, L and Durán-Camarón, J and Tena-Garcés, J and Calvete, JJ and Mencías-Rodríguez, E and Méndez-García, JL and Cuadros-González, J and Pérez-Tanoira, R},
title = {Potent Activity of Venom from a Single Captive-Bred Bitis rhinoceros Specimen Against Planktonic Clinical MRSA and Early Biofilm Development.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42938725},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {FIB-PI21-07//Foundation for Biomedical Research of the Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital's/ ; PID2023-150812OB-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; },
abstract = {Background: Antimicrobial resistance represents a major global health threat, particularly due to the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Snake venoms have emerged as promising sources of bioactive molecules with potential antimicrobial applications. However, their activity against clinical MRSA isolates and bacterial biofilms remains insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the antibacterial, biofilm formation inhibitory, and hemocompatibility properties of venom obtained from a captive-bred Bitis rhinoceros specimen against S. aureus strains and clinical MRSA isolates. Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC), minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC), and biofilm formation inhibition assays were performed. In addition, direct and indirect hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities were evaluated to assess venom selectivity and biocompatibility. Results: Proteomic characterization revealed that the venom proteome is dominated by C-type lectin-like proteins (46.7%), with minor contributions from PIII snake venom metalloproteinase, phospholipase A2, and L-amino acid oxidase toxin families. B. rhinoceros venom exhibited potent bactericidal activity against planktonic S. aureus cells, with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration values ranging from 4 to 16 mg/L. Notably, the two clinical MRSA isolates showed lower values than the reference strain, although this observation should be interpreted with caution given the limited number of isolates tested. The venom also strongly inhibited biofilm formation at the concentrations tested, with inhibition exceeding 97% and remaining statistically significant across all three strains and MIC multiples when analyzed at the level of the independent experiment (n = 3; paired t-test, Benjamini-Hochberg-adjusted p < 0.001), although limited activity was observed against preformed mature biofilms. Hemocompatibility assays demonstrated low direct and indirect hemolytic activity together with favorable selectivity indices against bacterial cells. Conclusions: These findings suggest that captive-bred B. rhinoceros venom may represent a promising source of antimicrobial compounds against planktonic MRSA infections and early-stage biofilm development. The favorable hemocompatibility profile supports its potential applicability as a topical antimicrobial candidate. Nevertheless, this study is a proof of concept and, therefore, further assays are required to isolate and functionally characterize the specific venom fractions responsible for the antimicrobial activity.},
}

@article {pmid42938763,
year = {2026},
author = {Karim, ME and Eubank, T and Begum, K and Alam, MJ and Hurdle, JG and Garey, KW},
title = {Cyclic di-GMP Regulation of Antibiotic-Induced Biofilm Formation: A Systematic Review.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42938763},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {2R01AI139261//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Biofilm formation is a major bacterial survival strategy in response to antibiotic stress. The bacterial second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) is a central regulator of biofilm development. Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics act as biological active environmental cues that reprogram bacterial physiology and promote biofilm development. This systematic review synthesizes the current literature on sub-MIC antibiotic-induced biofilm formation across different pathogenic bacterial genera and critically evaluates the role of c-di-GMP. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for articles published from inception to 18 December 2025 using terms including "sub-MIC antibiotic" AND ("biofilm" OR "antibiotic-induced biofilm") and a second search using "sub-MIC antibiotic" AND "biofilm" AND "c-di-GMP". Reviews, commentaries, opinions, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and non-English-language articles were excluded. Results: Collectively, 28 identified studies demonstrate that sub-MIC antibiotics modulate biofilm formation through diverse mechanisms that intersect with c-di-GMP activity, including modulation of diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases and through regulatory networks that intersect with quorum sensing and different two-component systems. These responses influence multiple components of biofilm matrix- and biofilm-associated physiology, including exopolysaccharides, extracellular DNA, cell surface proteins, secretion systems, and stress-adaptive multicellular behavior. Conclusions: By positioning c-di-GMP as an integrative, but context-dependent, signaling hub linking antibiotic-induced stress, metabolic adaptation, persistence, and biofilm development, this review highlights critical mechanistic gaps and identifies potential therapeutic targets for disrupting biofilms and improving antibiotic efficacy.},
}

@article {pmid42938764,
year = {2026},
author = {Seres-Steinbach, A and Szabó, P and Solti-Hodován, Á and Lilla Balázs, V and Bányai, K and Schneider, G},
title = {Biofilm-Forming Capacity of ESBL Escherichia coli and Influential Factors and Efficacy of Essential Oils in Inhibition and Disruption.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42938764},
issn = {2079-6382},
support = {EKÖP-24-1//Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary/ ; SA-27/2021//Eötvös Loránd Research Network/ ; RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00001//National Research, Development and Innovation Office/ ; NKFIH PD 147156//National Research, Development and Innovation Office/ ; 008_2025_PTE_RK/23//University of Pecs/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-producing E. coli) is a major global concern as it causes hard-to-treat infections that can sometimes be life-threatening.

METHODS: Using the drop plate method, we examined which essential oils (EOs) were effective against the tested strains. After mapping the general biofilm-forming affinity of the isolates, we attempted to degrade the biofilm using the EOs.

RESULTS: Certain EOs can kill ESBL-producing E. coli, inhibit biofilm formation, and degrade mature biofilms. The drop plate method showed that 50 (83%) and 54 (90%) of the 60 tested EOs were effective against 20 different human and porcine ESBL-producing E. coli isolates when applied at 1% and 5%, respectively. The most effective ESBL-producing E. coli isolate (23R20) was used for anti-biofilm testing. The temperature of 37 °C was most effective in inhibiting and degrading biofilms, although this was markedly influenced by the carrier medium. Ajowan, cinnamon, oregano, and thyme had outstanding effects in both tests, inhibiting and degrading biofilms by 99%, respectively. Morphological differences (e.g., deformation, elongation or shortening of cells, amorphous structures, and 'ghost'/perforated cells) were noted in the 23R20 E. coli cells exposed to ajowan, cinnamon, oregano, and thyme.

CONCLUSIONS: Ajowan, cinnamon, oregano, and thyme were the most effective biofilm-degrading and -inhibitory EOs.},
}

@article {pmid42938778,
year = {2026},
author = {Caneschi, A and Scarafile, D and Modesto, M and Scozzoli, M and Mattarelli, P and Zaghini, A},
title = {Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm In Vitro Activities of Essential Oils Against Bovine Mastitis-Related Pathogens.},
journal = {Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42938778},
issn = {2079-6382},
abstract = {Background: The inflammation of the mammary gland, known as bovine mastitis, is a major challenge for the dairy cattle industry globally. The main organisms responsible for mastitis are bacteria, classified as either contagious, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus agalactiae, or environmental, primarily Streptococcus spp. (e.g., Streptococcus uberis) and coliform species. Even though the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of pathogens poses a serious threat, antibiotics are still the primary treatment for mastitis. It is therefore necessary to explore alternative therapies, such as essential oils (EOs). This in vitro research intended to evaluate the efficacy of EOs against pathogens associated with bovine mastitis, as an alternative or complementary treatment to conventional antibiotics. Methods: The bactericidal activity of eleven essential oils and two blends was tested on five strains related to bovine mastitis: S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, S. uberis, S. aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. An assessment was carried out of both the reduction of biofilm formation and the inhibition of pre-formed biofilm against biofilm-formative strains of S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Results: Origanum vulgare and Cinnamomum verum resulted to be the EOs with the highest activity against the above-mentioned bacteria, inhibiting both bacterial growth and biofilm formation. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the relevance of investigating natural products and supports the hypothesis of appropriate use of EOs to reduce bacterial infections and provide an effective alternative to antibiotics in complementary therapy. Moreover, to avoid treatment failure, the combined use of available antibiotics and natural compounds should also be considered.},
}

@article {pmid42939649,
year = {2026},
author = {Han, R and Bai, Y and Zhou, Y and Hu, R and Li, P and Li, B and Liang, Y and Li, J and Bai, Y and Zhang, J},
title = {Naturally Occurring 2-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone Attenuates Biofilm Formation and Quorum Sensing-Regulated Virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42939649},
issn = {2218-273X},
support = {23ZDFA001//the major science and technology project of Gansu Province/ ; 1610322026005//Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund/ ; 1610322026017//Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund/ ; CAAS-ASTIP-2014-LIHPS//the Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/ ; CARS-37//the earmarked fund for CARS/ ; },
mesh = {*Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/pathogenicity/physiology ; *Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Quorum Sensing/drug effects ; *Naphthoquinones/pharmacology/chemistry ; Virulence/drug effects ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; },
abstract = {Pseudomonas aeruginosa employs quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate biofilm formation and virulence factor expression, positioning QS as a promising target for anti-infective interventions. This study evaluated the antibiofilm and antivirulence efficacy of 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQ), a natural naphthoquinone, against P. aeruginosa PA14. At concentrations of 31.25, 62.5, and 125 μg/mL, which had minimal impact on growth, MNQ suppressed biofilm formation (up to 70% at 125 μg/mL), reduced extracellular polymeric substance production, and inhibited quorum sensing-related signalling activity (85.9%), pyocyanin synthesis (78%), as well as swimming and twitching motilities. Notably, MNQ also exhibited antioxidant properties and inhibited efflux pump activity, suggesting a multifaceted mode of action. Mechanistically, qRT-PCR analysis following treatment with MNQ at 125 μg/mL demonstrated significant downregulation of QS regulatory genes (lasR, lasI, rhlR, rhlI, rhlA) and downstream virulence determinants, corroborating the phenotypic observations. Furthermore, MNQ acted synergistically with azithromycin, cefepime, and ciprofloxacin. Collectively, these findings establish MNQ as a potent QS-directed inhibitor with broad antivirulence activity, underscoring its potential as a lead compound for novel antibiofilm therapeutic strategies.},
}

*Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/pathogenicity/physiology
*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Quorum Sensing/drug effects
*Naphthoquinones/pharmacology/chemistry
Virulence/drug effects
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics

@article {pmid42939693,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, H and Xu, J and Bao, W and Ma, Z and Zhou, Y and Zhang, Z and Shang, Z and Zhang, J and Bai, Y and Li, B},
title = {Citronellol Potentiates Antibiotics Against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via Inhibition of Biofilm Formation.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42939693},
issn = {2218-273X},
support = {23ZDFA001//Major science and technology project of Gansu Province/ ; 1610322026005//Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund/ ; 1610322026017//Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund/ ; CAAS- 565 ASTIP-2014-LIHPS//The Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/ ; CARS-37//Earmarked fund for CARS/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Escherichia coli O157/drug effects/physiology ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Animals ; *Acyclic Monoterpenes/pharmacology ; Mice ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Quorum Sensing/drug effects ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Escherichia coli Infections/drug therapy/microbiology ; Drug Synergism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects ; Carbon-Sulfur Lyases ; },
abstract = {The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) demands new treatments, especially for biofilm-associated infections where bacteria tolerate antibiotics. Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157) is a virulent foodborne pathogen that causes severe haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. The LuxS/AI-2 quorum sensing (QS) system regulates both biofilm formation and motility in this pathogen. Here, we used a luxS-eGFP reporter to screen for QS modulators and identified citronellol as a potent candidate. Citronellol disrupts biofilm formation and swimming motility. These effects were accompanied by reduced luxS expression and modulation of lsr operon genes, consistent with interference with LuxS/AI-2 signalling. As a result, citronellol enhanced the antibacterial activity of conventional antibiotics at sub-MIC doses. Importantly, the citronellol-fosfomycin combination improved survival and reduced hepatic bacterial burden in a murine systemic infection model. These benefits are correlated with restored intestinal barrier integrity, including upregulated tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and Occludin). Together, these results support the continued development of citronellol-based combinations as promising anti-biofilm strategies.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Escherichia coli O157/drug effects/physiology
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Animals
*Acyclic Monoterpenes/pharmacology
Mice
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Quorum Sensing/drug effects
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Escherichia coli Infections/drug therapy/microbiology
Drug Synergism
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects
Carbon-Sulfur Lyases

@article {pmid42940341,
year = {2026},
author = {Cruz, M and Ortiz, S and Sánchez, P and Montiel, R and Martín, J and González, I and González-Menéndez, V and Tormo, JR and Genilloud, O and Vicente, F and Martinez-Suárez, JV and Arqués, JL},
title = {Searching for New Natural Compounds of Microbial Origin with Efficacy Against Listeria monocytogenes Biofilm Formation.},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {20},
pages = {},
pmid = {42940341},
issn = {2304-8158},
support = {PID2022-142329OB-C32//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; RTI2018-098267-R-C31//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; },
abstract = {Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a relatively rare but severe disease associated with high mortality rates, particularly among in high-risk populations. To reduce its presence in food production environments and increase the microbiological safety of food by identifying and developing new compounds that inhibit L. monocytogenes biofilm formation, this work joins the methodology of high-throughput screening (HTS) with the search for innovative applications of microbial natural products. Experimental conditions of an in vitro HTS assay have been set up to detect microbial extracts with antibiofilm-forming activity against a reference strain of L. monocytogenes (EGD-e, ATCC BAA-679) susceptible to disinfectants. Activity has been assessed by measuring fluorescence using resazurin (a redox indicator that allows quantifying the cell viability in biofilms). So far, 1520 microbial extracts have been tested, 127 of which have been selected based on their activity profile against the EGD-e strain. Subsequently, these extracts have been tested against a panel of five strains of L. monocytogenes resistant to disinfectants and persistently isolated from the meat industry, and their chromatographic profiles have been examined to prioritize their further study according to their activity and the presence of already known molecules. Twelve extracts have shown broad inhibition biofilm formation against the five resistant strains and three of them are candidates for further bioactivity-guided fractionation and structural elucidation. Further work is underway to characterize the chemical composition of these three extracts and explore their potential applications, with the aim of developing natural biocide formulations that may have a reduced environmental impact.},
}

@article {pmid42941845,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, X and Zhou, TC and Wen, C and Zhang, Y and Wang, H and Wei, J},
title = {High-Entropy Alloy-Engineered ZnIn2S4 Photocatalyst for Efficient In Vitro Eradication of MRSA and Inhibition of Biofilm Formation via ROS-Mediated Mechanisms.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {20},
pages = {},
pmid = {42941845},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {202502AA310011//Yunnan Provincial Major Science and Technology Special Project Plan-Biomedicine Special Project/ ; ZKF2025015//The 14th Five-Year Plan Yunnan Provincial Key Clinical Specialty Project - Infectious Diseases Department/ ; D-2024002//Leading Talents in Medical Disciplines of Yunnan Province/ ; 202205AC160023//Reserve Talents for Middle, Young aged Academic and Technical Leaders in Yunnan Province/ ; KC-24248965//The 16th Graduate Research Innovation Project of Yunnan University/ ; 202301CF070261//Yunnan Province Basic Research General Program/ ; XDYC-QNRC-2024-118//Yunnan Province Xingdian Talent Support Project/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Alloys/chemistry/pharmacology ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry ; *Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology ; *Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Catalysis ; *Nickel/chemistry/pharmacology ; *Zinc/chemistry ; Light ; },
abstract = {Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, particularly those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pose a critical clinical challenge and necessitate alternative non-antibiotic antimicrobial strategies. Herein, a high-entropy alloy-modified ZnIn2S4 (HEA-ZIS) photocatalytic nanoplatform was rationally engineered and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial performance. FeCoNiCuZn high-entropy alloy nanoparticles were uniformly anchored onto hierarchical ZnIn2S4 nanoflowers via a combined solvothermal-impregnation strategy. Structural and physicochemical characterizations reveal that the intrinsic flower-like morphology is well retained, while HEA incorporation induces lattice distortion, multivalent metal states, and interfacial charge redistribution. The optimized 3%HEA-ZIS exhibits potent antibacterial activity against MRSA under visible light, achieving 98.30% inactivation and a 5.91-log reduction, with a low minimum bactericidal concentration (0.30 mg mL[-1]). It also demonstrates strong antibiofilm activity by inhibiting MRSA biofilm formation, reducing biofilm biomass by over 84%, while maintaining good in vitro biosafety. Mechanistic studies reveal enhanced light absorption, improved charge separation, and accelerated interfacial electron transfer, promoting efficient oxygen activation. Electron paramagnetic resonance and in situ DRIFTS analyses identify a cascade reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway responsible for the enhanced antibacterial efficacy. Overall, this work provides insights into high-entropy alloy-engineered semiconductor nanoplatforms and demonstrates their potential as promising biomedical nanomaterials for non-antibiotic antimicrobial applications.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Alloys/chemistry/pharmacology
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry
*Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology
*Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Catalysis
*Nickel/chemistry/pharmacology
*Zinc/chemistry
Light

@article {pmid42942734,
year = {2026},
author = {Marzouk, E and Jaber, M},
title = {Reimagining Antimicrobial Drug Delivery: Spatiotemporally Adaptive Therapeutics for Biofilm-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance.},
journal = {Pharmaceutics},
volume = {18},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42942734},
issn = {1999-4923},
abstract = {Antimicrobial therapy may fail even when an agent is intrinsically active if effective drug exposure is not achieved at the site of infection at the appropriate time. This challenge is particularly important in biofilm-associated infections and infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens, where biological barriers, spatial heterogeneity, and changing microbial states can limit treatment effectiveness. This narrative review examines advanced antimicrobial delivery from a problem-oriented perspective, focusing on the therapeutic challenges that delivery systems are designed to address. It explores how antimicrobial exposure can be aligned with the location, biological state, and changing course of infection. The review examines the biological and pharmacological barriers that restrict antimicrobial activity and discusses strategies designed to improve drug access, retention, release, and local activity. Localized delivery, responsive and externally triggered systems, controlled and sequential delivery, and multimodal therapy are considered as implementation strategies within a common spatiotemporal framework. Particular attention is given to the relationship between formulation design, local drug exposure, biological response, and therapeutic outcome. The review further examines the factors that determine whether a technically promising system has a realistic clinical role, including safety, reproducibility, manufacturability, model relevance, and demonstrable benefits over simpler approaches. Future priorities are considered from a clinically defined perspective. Overall, the review argues that the value of advanced antimicrobial delivery lies not in carrier complexity alone, but in its capacity to provide a measurable and reproducible therapeutic advantage for a clearly defined infection setting.},
}

@article {pmid42942812,
year = {2026},
author = {Bazaid, AS and Saeedi, NH and Jalal, MM and Alkayyal, AA and Patel, M and Aldarhami, A},
title = {Myricetin Modulates Quorum Sensing-Associated Phenotypes, Virulence, and Biofilm Formation in Pathogenic Bacteria: In Vitro and In Silico Studies.},
journal = {Pharmaceutics},
volume = {18},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42942812},
issn = {1999-4923},
support = {26UQU4420118GSSR03//Umm al-Qura University/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among pathogenic bacteria has necessitated the development of alternative therapeutic strategies that target bacterial virulence rather than cell viability. Methods: In this study, the flavonoid myricetin was systematically evaluated for its antibacterial, QS-associated phenotypic and biofilm formation-inhibitory activities against clinically relevant bacterial pathogens. Results: Myricetin exhibited moderate antibacterial activity and significantly reduced several QS-associated phenotypes. Violacein and prodigiosin production were reduced by 74.59% and 64.32%, respectively, consistent with QS-modulatory activity under the tested conditions. Furthermore, myricetin markedly attenuated key virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including pyocyanin (70.44%), pyoverdine (75.84%), and rhamnolipids (48.69%). In addition, concentration-dependent reductions in biofilm formation and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production was observed across all tested strains. Molecular docking predicted favourable interactions of myricetin with key QS regulatory proteins, particularly CviR and LasR, which was supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Notably, the LasR-myricetin complex showed greater computational stability among the evaluated complexes, supporting its potential role as a key interaction site. Conclusions: This study provides an integrated experimental and computational evaluation of myricetin-mediated modulation of QS-associated phenotypes across multiple bacterial systems, demonstrating reductions in virulence-factor production and biofilm formation under the tested conditions. Collectively, these findings position myricetin as a promising anti-virulence candidate, although further studies are required to validate its clinical applicability.},
}

@article {pmid42943205,
year = {2026},
author = {Benson, R and Velladath, SU and Prasad, SS and Nittur, S and Banerjee, B and Rodrigues, GS and Rao, M and Hariharapura, RC and Munisamy, M and Vishwanath, S and Mukhopadhyay, C and Sudha Gururaj, VK and Miraj, SS},
title = {Association of Vitamin D Supplementation with VDR and CAMP Expression and Ulcer Healing in Diabetic Foot Infection Involving Biofilm-Forming Bacteria: An Exploratory Prospective Cohort Study.},
journal = {Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {19},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42943205},
issn = {1424-8247},
support = {R.11014/31/2023-GIA/HR//Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are a major cause of morbidity and lower-limb amputation. Vitamin D exerts immunomodulatory effects through vitamin D receptor (VDR), which regulates the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) gene that encodes cathelicidin (LL-37). However, their association with DFIs remains poorly understood. This study investigated the association between vitamin D supplementation, the vitamin D-VDR-CAMP-LL-37 pathway, and ulcer healing in DFIs involving biofilm-forming bacteria. Methods: This study (September 2022-March 2026) included 16 DFI patients in the study group (SG), 16 in the reference group (RG), and 16 healthy controls (HCs). The SG received vitamin D supplementation (60,000 IU) in addition to standard care, whereas the RG received standard care alone. Participants were followed up for 4 months. Vitamin D assessment (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay), VDR and LL-37 quantification (ELISA), biofilm formation (tissue culture plate method), and VDR and CAMP gene expression (mRNA quantitation) were all considered. Results: At baseline, serum vitamin D, VDR protein, and LL-37 levels differed significantly among the groups (p ≤ 0.002), whereas VDR and CAMP gene expressions did not. Following supplementation, the SG showed significant increases in serum vitamin D, VDR protein and LL-37 (p ≤ 0.001). At the four-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in VDR and CAMP gene expression or in ulcer healing between the groups. Although a higher proportion of participants in the SG achieved ulcer healing, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Although changes in the circulating elements of the vitamin D-VDR-LL-37 pathway were noted with physician-prescribed vitamin D supplementation, no statistically significant association with ulcer healing was observed. This finding requires validation through a thorough investigation.},
}

@article {pmid42943365,
year = {2026},
author = {Vecci, BE and Deshpande, SN and Baudin, J and Kao, KC},
title = {Effects of Fetal Bovine Serum on Biofilm Formation and Cell Attachment of Candida glabrata.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42943365},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {1R16AI167832-04/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabratus) is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen. Candida spp., including C. glabrata, can adhere to surfaces, including the human epithelial mucosa and medical devices, to form biofilms, which can lead to high mortality rates. Heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (HI FBS) is commonly used as a component in plate-based fungal biofilm experiments as a readily available serum model. However, the effect of HI FBS on C. glabrata biofilm formation in in vitro biofilm assays has not been systematically investigated. The results of crystal violet staining for biomass measurements, XTT reduction for metabolic activity quantification, confocal microscopy of biofilms and growth kinetic measurements showed a negative influence of the HI FBS on cell attachment but not growth rates, which resulted in reduced biofilm formation. These findings identify serum exposure as an important experimental variable in C. glabrata biofilm assays that can potentially disrupt the interaction of cells and abiotic surfaces such as those used in medical device applications.},
}

@article {pmid42943444,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, P and Liu, X and Dai, S and Li, Y and Yang, M and Yan, Y},
title = {Magnetic Fields Disperse Escherichia coli from Biofilm via CsrA and RpoE Regulation.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42943444},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2017KFXKJC010//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; },
abstract = {The biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria improves their infectivity, virulence, and stress tolerance. Therefore, inhibition of biofilm is beneficial for antibiosis. Magnetic fields (MFs) have been found to suppress the adhesion of Escherichia coli, but their underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to explore the effects of different MFs on E. coli biofilm and the detailed molecular mechanism. The quantitative results of crystal violet staining showed that the biofilm significantly decreased by 20.5% (±6.3%) with 2.5 T pulse MF (PMF) treatment, 24.7% (±13.2%) with 15 mT rotating MF (RMF) treatment, and 14.9% (±8.8%) with 100 mT static MF (SMF) treatment. No obvious cell death or change in cellular metabolism was observed after 1 h RMF treatment, while the number of planktonic cells increased, indicating that 1 h RMF treatment dispersed biofilm without killing cells. Transcriptome profiling of PMF-treated E. coli revealed significant downregulation of core genes associated with biofilm formation, such as pgaA and csgD. This was associated with the upregulation of the gene csrA and the activation of transcription factor RpoE, which inhibits the translation of pgaA and csgD, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis and promoter activity assay verified these molecular changes in biofilm-forming cells under PMF and RMF. The essential roles of CsrA and RpoE in RMF-mediated biofilm inhibition were further supported by gene overexpression, knockout, or silencing. Additionally, it was demonstrated that RMF exerted consistent anti-biofilm effects in E. coli O157:H7 and Bacillus subtilis WB800N. Thus, the findings of this study provide evidence for the molecular mechanism of MF on E. coli biofilm inhibition.},
}

@article {pmid42943468,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, Y and Peng, J and Zhang, J and Lan, H and Wang, Y and Lin, J and Gan, S and Li, X and Shao, K and Zhang, D and Liang, X and Xu, Z},
title = {Biofilm-Forming and Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Thompson Strains Isolated from Edible Cipangopaludina cathayensis: An Emerging Food Safety Concern in Southern China.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14102229},
pmid = {42943468},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2024GXNSFBA010125//the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi/ ; 0502405906//Guangxi Qingmiao Talent Support Project/ ; S202410600113//the Innovation and entrepreneurship training program/ ; 2022BS017//the Doctoral Research Foundation/ ; 2025JQ003//the Research project/ ; },
abstract = {Salmonella enterica Thompson (S. Thompson) is a zoonotic foodborne pathogen causing infection in humans and animals, yet limited data exist on isolates from edible Cipangopaludina cathayensis (C. cathayensis), a key ingredient of Liuzhou Luosifen. In the present study, seven S. Thompson isolates recovered from edible C. cathayensis in southern China (2021-2022) were characterized in terms of antimicrobial resistance, biofilm formation, resistance and virulence genes, and pathogenicity in mice. All seven isolates showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent for which valid interpretive criteria exist. Since no Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) interpretive criteria exist for vancomycin, clindamycin, lincomycin, erythromycin, penicillin, and oxacillin, these agents were excluded from multiple drug resistance (MDR) classification; after reclassification, two isolates, 2/7 (28.6%), fulfilled the criteria for MDR. Five isolates, 5/7 (71.4%), formed biofilms in vitro and carried csgA and/or csgD; the two non-biofilm-forming isolates lacked both genes. All isolates harbored blaTEM-1 and blaOXA; blaCTX-M, blaPSE-1, blaCMY-2, and blaNDM were detected in 5/7 (71.4%) and blaSHV in 4/7 (57.1%). All isolates carried stn, fimA, invA, sseL, and virK; siiE was present in six of seven isolates. In mice, the biofilm-forming isolate C6469 induced hepatic necrosis and intestinal injury. Microbiome and metabolomic analyses indicated a reduction in beneficial gut bacteria, an increase in pathogenic bacteria, and enhanced phosphatidylcholine (PC) (14:0-P-18:0) metabolism, which in turn promotes liver inflammation. These correlational findings warrant further functional validation. This study highlights food safety implications and the strengthening of surveillance for biofilm-forming S. Thompson.},
}

@article {pmid42943469,
year = {2026},
author = {Pang, S and Cui, N and Cai, M and Zhou, L and Tian, Y and Zhang, X},
title = {A Hydrogen-Based Bacterial-Algal Biofilm for Winter Nutrient Mitigation in a Paddy Soil Mesocosm: A Proof-of-Concept Study.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42943469},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2026ZD1212604//Jing-Jin-Ji Regional Integrated Environmental Improvement-National Science and Technology Major Project/ ; No. 24010701000//National S&T cooperation Program of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, China/ ; No. MS202645//Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Urban-rural Water Resources and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology/ ; },
abstract = {The limited nitrogen and phosphorus concentration reduction performance of wetlands during cold weather is a global concern. To address the challenge of low nutrient removal efficiency in winter, this study introduces a hollow fiber membrane module integrated into paddy soil, enabling the in situ formation of a hydrogen-based bacterial-algal biofilm. Over a 60-day experiment at water temperatures of 6.2-15.0 °C, the biofilm-enhanced system (HS) reduced aqueous NH4+-N from 25 mg/L to 0.2 mg/L by day 30 and maintained this low level through day 60, whereas the S system still had 5.5 mg/L NH4+-N. Moreover, the HS system consistently maintained lower NO3--N and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations than the S system. Microbial communities were characterized using third-generation 16S full-length sequencing and 18S rRNA V4 amplicon sequencing. The biofilm was dominated by Geminocystis_PCC_6308, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Rhodobacter, while eukaryotic green algae, mainly Botryococcus sp., were also abundant. In the paddy soil, Terrimonas and unclassified_AKYH767 were identified as potential key taxa associated with nitrogen and phosphorus concentration reduction. Overall, the hydrogen-based bacterial-algal biofilm effectively improves the nitrogen and phosphorus concentration reduction of paddy soil wetlands, offering a promising strategy for cold-weather eutrophic water remediation.},
}

@article {pmid42943478,
year = {2026},
author = {Sellars, MS and Reggans, CW and Alford, AA and Harris, AJ and Deutschlander, JC and Aworh, MK},
title = {Virulence Signatures and Biofilm-Forming Capacity of ESBL-Producing Escherichia coli in Wastewater and Agricultural Environments.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42943478},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {//Fayetteville State University/ ; },
abstract = {The persistence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli in livestock and municipal wastewater systems represent a key environmental pathway for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence determinants with direct public-health implications. This study investigated the distribution of virulence genes and biofilm-forming capacity of ESBL-producing E. coli from two municipal WWTPs, a poultry farm, and a cattle farm. A total of 452 environmental samples were collected between May 2025 and May 2026. ESBL-producing E. coli were identified using culture-based and biochemical methods. Virulence genes were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Biofilm formation was assessed using the crystal violet microtiter plate assay. Of the 452 samples, 120 (26.5%) yielded ESBL-producing E. coli. PCR analysis showed that poultry farm isolates exhibited the highest prevalence of virulence genes, predominantly traT (64/66), ompA (61/66), fimH (54/66), and chuA (39/66), followed by isolates from WWTP-A, the cattle farm, and WWTP-B. Significant differences among sampling sources were observed for traT (p = 0.0398) and stx1 (p = 0.0224). WGS analysis identified significant source-dependent associations for several virulence genes, with the strongest associations observed for esp (FDR = 3.47 × 10[-6]) and fimH (FDR = 2.36 × 10[-5]). Most isolates were non-biofilm producers (52/120, 43.3%). Among biofilm-forming isolates, weak biofilm production predominated across all sampling locations, with the highest prevalence observed in poultry farm isolates (21/120, 17.5%), followed by isolates from the cattle farm and WWTP-A (10/120, 8.3% each) and WWTP-B (7/120, 5.8%). These findings identify poultry farms and wastewater environments as important reservoirs of virulence-associated ESBL-producing E. coli and support integrated One Health surveillance to limit the environmental spread of AMR.},
}

@article {pmid42943516,
year = {2026},
author = {Aljaafari, HAS and Parnian, P and Abdulwahhab, NI and Van Dyne, J and Nuxoll, E},
title = {Remote Induction Heating of Metal Implants for Noninvasive Elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm, Augmented by Tobramycin.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42943516},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {18IPA34170108//American Heart Association/ ; T32-GM008365//University of Iowa Predoctoral Training Program in Biotechnology/ ; },
abstract = {Thermal shock is a promising new approach to eliminating biofilm infections on medical implants without surgically replacing the device. Most studies determining the minimum necessary thermal shock used immersion in hot media to provide precise, rapid, uniform temperature control. In vivo, however, this shock must be focused directly on the implant surface, raising the concern that bacteria may partially evade the shock by momentarily dispersing into the cooler surroundings. This study tests that hypothesis using remote induction heating, in which Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms were thermally shocked by an external alternating magnetic field heating the substrate directly. It also assessed the impact of tobramycin on the minimum thermal shock required. Susceptibility to tobramycin alone, thermal shock alone, and their combination was characterized over temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 °C and duration of 1 to 30 min with biofilms of two distinctly different architectures and population densities. Remote heating was then evaluated on biofilms in a flow cell where media was continuously replaced to keep its temperature below the biofilm's. Comparison with immersion heating showed that, despite losing 90% of the biofilm to dispersion into the flushed media, biofilms thermally shocked in the flow cell had significantly higher populations than biofilms comparably shocked by immersion, though biofilms could still be completely eliminated via remote heating. Tobramycin alone did not eliminate biofilm even at clinically infeasible concentrations but, when combined with thermal shock, achieved complete elimination at milder thermal shocks, indicating a complex synergy also observed with antibiotics of another class. Remote heating successfully eliminated biofilms while delivering heat in a clinically implementable manner. As an in vitro, these findings did not directly assess thermal damage to surrounding tissue, which requires further investigation in future treatment design.},
}

@article {pmid42943529,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Y and Ma, L and Yu, Y and An, Q and Cui, Y and Xue, B and Yi, L and Li, X and Liu, B and Wang, Y},
title = {From Antagonism to Coevolutionary Regulation: Multidimensional Phage-Biofilm Interaction Networks and Translational Targeted Anti-Infection Strategies.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42943529},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {32573360//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 254200510022//Scientific and Technological Innovation Leaders in Central Plains/ ; 262102111054//He'nan Provincial Science and Technology Research Project/ ; 262102110027//He'nan Provincial Science and Technology Research Project/ ; 262300422069//Natural Science Foundation of Henan/ ; 262300420453//Natural Science Foundation of Henan/ ; 24IRTSTHN033//Program for Innovative Research Team (in Science and Technology) in University of Henan Province/ ; },
abstract = {Bacterial biofilms possess inherent physical barriers and structural heterogeneity. These features pose a major obstacle to clinical anti-infective therapy. This review systematically examines the dynamic interplay between phages and bacterial biofilms, which ranges from antagonistic competition to synergistic interaction. It aims to dissect the underlying mechanisms and translational potential of phages as next-generation precision anti-infective agents. A core scientific question in phage-biofilm interactions is how phages penetrate and remodel the three-dimensional extracellular matrix of biofilms. Classic mechanisms include direct lysis of bacteria embedded in biofilms, degradation of matrix scaffolds by phage-derived exopolysaccharide depolymerases, and modulation of bacterial virulence and biofilm phenotypes via lysogenic conversion. Auxiliary mechanisms encompass synergistic bactericidal effects of phages and the host's innate immune system, as well as niche competition within microbial communities. Recently identified mechanisms involve phage-mediated interference with bacterial quorum sensing, physical remodeling of biofilm spatial architecture, and enhanced antibiotic penetration across biofilm barriers. These processes collectively shape the microenvironmental network linking phages, bacteria, and host cells. By synthesizing the complex phage-biofilm interplay, this review provides a theoretical basis for designing engineered phage cocktails, optimizing phage-antibiotic combination regimens, and developing intelligent biomaterial delivery systems. These delivery systems are intended for targeted treatment of chronic biofilm-associated infections.},
}

@article {pmid42943534,
year = {2026},
author = {Wouna, SDB and Kolli, NS and Benes, K and Fauver, D and L Salzano, C and Parsha, R and Prajapati, S and Cirillo, PF and Gu, H},
title = {Species-Dependent Effects of 3-Hydroxychromone Derivatives on Biofilm Biomass and Planktonic Growth.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {42943534},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {NSF: 2418289//National Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {A series of 3-hydroxychromone derivatives bearing Mannich-type motifs was synthesized and evaluated for effects on biofilm-associated biomass and planktonic growth in Staphylococcus aureus ALC2085 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Compounds were initially screened at 20 μg/mL using crystal violet staining, followed by experimental 50% growth-inhibitory concentration (GIC50) and CFU analyses. Against S. aureus, aryl-substituted derivatives had GIC50 values >200 μg/mL, whereas 6-bromo derivatives had values of 1.25-10 μg/mL. Thus, the biomass reductions produced by NSK 18 at 20 μg/mL could not be separated from planktonic growth inhibition. Against PAO1, NSK 16 produced statistically significant decreases in biomass, reducing it to 50 ± 24% of the untreated control (p = 0.03584), without comparably large or sustained reductions in the measured planktonic-growth endpoints at 20 μg/mL. These findings demonstrate species- and substitution-dependent activity and identify NSK 16 as preliminary PAO1 biomass-reducing hits. Because biomass was measured at a single concentration and not normalized to growth under matched conditions, further concentration-response and viability studies are required to establish biofilm selectivity.},
}

@article {pmid42944893,
year = {2026},
author = {Qiu, M and Wiedbrauk, S and Fairfull-Smith, KE and Strittmatter, N},
title = {Spatial metabolic insights of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm treatments using stable isotope labeling with DESI mass spectrometry imaging.},
journal = {Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42944893},
issn = {1618-2650},
support = {202208320033//Chinese Scholarship Council/ ; H-1258-24//Bavarian Ministry of Science and the Arts and the Queensland Government/ ; C24-0918830768//RSC Researcher Collaborations Grant/ ; },
abstract = {Bacteria form biofilms on diverse substrates, and these communities can cause persistent infections owing to their elevated antibiotic resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of chronic infections because of its ability to form biofilms, which makes it difficult to eradicate with conventional antibiotics. The metabolic response of P. aeruginosa biofilms to antibiotic treatment, however, remains only partially understood. Here, desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) was used to map the spatial metabolic responses of mature and developing P. aeruginosa biofilms to ciprofloxacin and two ciprofloxacin-nitroxide hybrids. Stable isotope labeling of metabolites was used to support the spatial interpretation of quorum-sensing (QS) metabolites within the chemically complex and dynamic spatial environment of biofilms and to understand their biosynthetic pathway. Ciprofloxacin induced localized metabolic changes and selective reorganization of quorum-sensing and redox-associated metabolites in biofilms. Both hybrids underwent heterogeneous in situ reduction to their inactive hydroxylamine forms within biofilms. These results indicate that DESI-MSI with stable isotope labeling can resolve growth-stage-dependent colony biofilm metabolism and characterize the metabolic response of biofilms to antibiotic treatment.},
}

@article {pmid42945331,
year = {2026},
author = {De Soir, S and Vranckx, C and Latka, A and Briers, Y and Wagemans, J and Lavigne, R and Pirnay, JP and De Vos, D and Dupont-Gillain, C and Van Bambeke, F},
title = {Phage-Derived Depolymerase-Functionalized Coatings Prevent Staphylococcal Biofilm Formation.},
journal = {ACS biomaterials science & engineering},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6c01098},
pmid = {42945331},
issn = {2373-9878},
support = {FNRS J.0218.25//Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS/ ; 1240021N//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; 1251224N//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; },
abstract = {Biofilm-associated infections caused by Staphylococci remain a major challenge in the context of biomedical implants due to their tolerance to antibiotics and resistance to host defenses. Here, we report the identification of a novel phage-derived depolymerase (DPO2) targeting staphylococcal biofilms and its integration into hyaluronic acid-based layer-by-layer (LbL) coatings. DPO2 was produced recombinantly and proved more effective preventing biofilm formation than destroying preformed Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. DPO2 antibiofilm activity was retained and even enhanced upon immobilization within DPO2/Hyaluronic Acid multilayered coatings. The resulting functionalized surfaces exhibited potent inhibition of biofilm formation by multiple S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus strains from orthopedic infections, reaching nearly complete suppression under the tested conditions. This work demonstrates the potential of combining phage-derived enzymes with biomaterial surface engineering to develop efficient, non-antibiotic antibiofilm strategies. Such coatings represent a promising approach for preventing implant-associated infections.},
}

@article {pmid42945594,
year = {2026},
author = {Gansauge, C and Martin, D and Echtermeyer, D and Heinrich, D and Frense, D},
title = {CLSM-based 4D biofilm reference for quantitative coupling of biofilm structure and sensor signals.},
journal = {Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands)},
volume = {174},
number = {},
pages = {109482},
doi = {10.1016/j.bioelechem.2026.109482},
pmid = {42945594},
issn = {1878-562X},
abstract = {Systematic development and experimental evaluation of empirical, numerical and data-driven models linking biofilm structure to sensor signals are often limited by the lack of biological reference data that can be directly assigned to the measurements. Here, we present a platform that couples a 4D biofilm reference obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with time-resolved sensor data. Thermomechanical stabilization, axial cover-glass referencing and sub-voxel reconstruction provide stable axial registration over large fields of view. For each fluorescence marker, the approach yields pixel- and time-resolved maps of interfacial height h(x,y,t), fluorescence intensity I(x,y,t) and axial transition width w(x,y,t). These data provide quantitative reference variables for systematically evaluating sensor descriptors and forward and inverse structure-signal models. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on planar interdigitated electrodes is used as an illustrative application. The example shows how frequency-dependent signal descriptors can be compared and how identified structure-signal relationships can be tested for transferability. The framework is not restricted to EIS and can be applied to other temporally coupled sensing modalities. Independently of sensor coupling, the 4D reference also supports analyses of biofilm growth, heterogeneity and marker-resolved structural differences.},
}

@article {pmid42945655,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, H and Liu, F and Duan, C and Cao, Y and You, J and Xiao, Y and Guo, M and Xu, H},
title = {Suspended particulate matter enhances light responsive superoxide generation at aquatic biofilm interfaces via regulating matrix photoreactivity and electron transfer.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {518},
number = {},
pages = {143932},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.143932},
pmid = {42945655},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is ubiquitous in shallow waters and frequently interact with aquatic biofilms, yet its role in regulating biofilm-derived superoxide (O2[·-]) generation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SPM enhances light-responsive O2[·-] generation at submerged macrophyte biofilm interfaces via modulating electron supply, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) photoreactivity, and EPS-mediated electron transfer. During biofilm development, the maximum interfacial O2[·-] production increased 2.36-fold as SPM concentration rose from 0 to 300 mg L[-1], reflecting enhanced biofilm biomass accumulation and elevated mass-normalized O2[·-] production activity. SPM exposure intensified light-driven O2[·-] generation from 323.22 ± 6.15-558.24 ± 37.46 nmol mg C[-1] h[-1], and improved the electron-donating capacity from 2.11 ± 0.21-4.87 ± 0.49 μmol e[-] mg C[-1] in intact biofilms. Isolated EPS exhibited a tighter correlation between electron-donating capacity and light-induced O2[·-] generation. Further experiments involving electron donors, inhibitors and redox mediators confirmed that SPM incorporation facilitates EPS-mediated electron transfer to molecular oxygen, with a 2.04-fold response at 300 mg L[-1] SPM under sufficient electron-donor supply. Collectively, our findings reveal a biofilm-dependent mechanism for SPM enhances O2[·-] formation and highlight SPM as an overlooked regulator of biofilm interfacial O2[·-] generation in shallow aquatic ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid42924220,
year = {2026},
author = {Hsu, YS and Teng, NC and Chen, SY and Chang, HC and Huang, HM and Hsieh, SC},
title = {Submicron diamond-assisted irrigation enhances apical biofilm removal under sonic and ultrasonic activation: An ex vivo study.},
journal = {Journal of dental sciences},
volume = {21},
number = {4},
pages = {2492-2502},
pmid = {42924220},
issn = {2213-8862},
abstract = {BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Residual apical biofilm often persists despite sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation with sonic or ultrasonic activation. Submicron diamond particles (SMD) have shown promise as a particle-assisted adjunct for root canal cleaning, but their effects on mature sintracanal biofilm remain unclear. This study evaluated whether 500-nm SMD particles (10 mg/mL) improve the antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of saline or NaOCl irrigation against mature Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) biofilms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred single-rooted human premolars infected with E. faecalis for 21 days were randomly allocated to ten irrigation protocols (n = 10). Antibacterial efficacy was assessed by colony-forming units (CFU), biofilm-forming capacity by crystal violet assay (OD590), and residual biofilm by scanning electron microscopy in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, pairwise Mann-Whitney U tests, and Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS: All outcomes differed significantly among protocols (P < 0.001). NaOCl protocols significantly reduced CFU counts versus the no-irrigation and saline controls (P ≤ 0.008), but SMD produced no statistically significant additional CFU reduction. In contrast, NaOCl + SMD protocols showed lower biofilm-forming capacity than NaOCl activation without SMD (P = 0.008) and the lowest apical residual biofilm scores (median 1.0; most specimens <5% coverage), significantly lower than all other protocols (P ≤ 0.002).

CONCLUSION: SMD improved apical biofilm removal, whereas no statistically significant additional reduction in CFU counts was demonstrated, indicating a region-specific mechanical adjunctive role rather than a general improvement.},
}

@article {pmid42925002,
year = {2027},
author = {Zahoor, MA and Siddique, AB and Shafique, M and Muzammil, S and Abdulhaq, N and Aslam, R and Nawaz, Z},
title = {Phenotypic biofilm formation and detection of biofilm-associated genes in multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from burn wounds.},
journal = {Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences},
volume = {40},
number = {1},
pages = {76-84},
doi = {10.36721/PJPS/2026.40.16579.1},
pmid = {42925002},
issn = {3105-9686},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development/drug effects ; *Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genetics/drug effects/isolation & purification/physiology ; *Burns/microbiology ; *Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics ; Humans ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology/drug therapy ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Phenotype ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *Wound Infection/microbiology ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is widely recognized as a ubiquitous, drug-resistant, biofilm-forming bacterium that produces numerous virulence factors and plays a prominent role in hospital-acquired infections.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR), biofilm formation and biofilm-associated genes among P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from burn wound infections.

METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in which total of 176 burn wound samples were collected and processed for bacterial isolation. Identification of isolates was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the oprL gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Biofilm-forming ability was assessed using the microtiter plate assay. Furthermore, PCR was used to detect biofilm-associated genes, including pelA, pelD, cupA, algD, pelF, pslA, pslB and pslD, in biofilm-producing isolates.

RESULTS: Out of 176 burn wound samples, 74 (42%) were positive for P. aeruginosa, among which 58 isolates were identified as MDR while all isolates remained susceptible to polymyxin B. Biofilm formation was observed in all MDR isolates, with 13.79%, 44.82% and 41.37% categorized as weak, moderate and strong biofilm producers, respectively, whereas only a limited proportion of non-MDR isolates demonstrated biofilm-forming ability (P = 0.001). Among MDR biofilm-forming isolates, biofilm-associated genes such as pslA and algD were each detected in 96.55% of isolates while cupA were identified in 94.82% of isolates. Notably, cupA showed a statistically significant association with biofilm-forming intensity (P = 0.020), suggesting its potential role in enhanced biofilm establishment among MDR isolates.

CONCLUSION: Overall, the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant, biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from burn wounds is an important microbiological concern. The frequent coexistence of multidrug resistance and biofilm-forming capacity observed in this study suggests a possible association that may complicate infection management and emphasizes the importance of continuous surveillance and effective infection control strategies.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development/drug effects
*Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genetics/drug effects/isolation & purification/physiology
*Burns/microbiology
*Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics
Humans
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology/drug therapy
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Prospective Studies
Phenotype
Cross-Sectional Studies
*Wound Infection/microbiology

@article {pmid42925947,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, P and Xie, Z and Kong, Y and Han, Y and Lin, S and Chen, Z and Jin, Y and Zhou, Z and Yuan, S and Lin, H},
title = {Strain specificity and inoculation sequence shape quorum sensing-based biofilm bioaugmentation: Roles of resource competition and quorum quenching.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {125955},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2026.125955},
pmid = {42925947},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Quorum sensing (QS)-based bioaugmentation is promising for accelerating biofilm establishment and bioreactor start-up. However, its effectiveness is determined by biotic interactions between exogenous QS bacteria and indigenous microorganisms, which is shaped by the ecological roles of strain-specific traits and inoculation sequence. This study systematically investigated strain-specific biotic interactions between four QS strains (wastewater-derived strain X3, AM7 and AM9, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1) with forty non-QS strains under three inoculation strategies with different inoculation time (i.e., one-step mixing, pre-inoculation and post-addition). Biotic interactions associated with resource competition and quorum quenching (QQ) activity were distinguished using model strain Escherichia coli with strong substrate uptake capability and Rhodococcus sp. BH4 with QQ activity. The QS-mediated biofilm regulation was jointly shaped by strain-specific characteristics and inoculation sequence. The pre-inoculation strategy enhanced biofilm induction by AM9 and X3, alleviated negative interactions for AM7, but intensified inhibition by PAO1. By contrast, the post-addition strategy strengthened biofilm reduction by AM9, X3 and AM7, while it enhanced biofilm induction by PAO1. Resource competition alone was insufficient to suppress QS-mediated biofilm induction. However, QQ activity induced by BH4 significantly reduced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production and QS-mediated biofilm induction, particularly for X3 and AM7, distinguishing as the major ecological constraint. Notably, AM9 with strong QS activity maintained biofilm-promoting capability. This study provides ecological principles for QS strain selection and inoculation optimization, facilitating the improvement of QS-based bioaugmentation for rapid start-up of biofilm-based processes.},
}

@article {pmid42926049,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhai, SQ and Yang, XL and Xiang, XY and Luo, ZY and Xu, JY and Shao, MR},
title = {Coupled effects of bio-carrier type and filling ratio on electroactive biofilm formation and extracellular electron transfer in MBBR-MFCs.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {136119},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.136119},
pmid = {42926049},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {Electroactive biofilm (EAB) organization and extracellular electron transfer (EET) govern moving-bed biofilm reactor-microbial fuel cell (MBBR-MFC) performance, yet the coupled effects of bio-carrier type and filling ratio remain unclear. We compared bioceramic, biochar, polyurethane sponge, and conductive sponge, and evaluated filling-ratio effects for polyurethane sponge and biochar. Polyurethane sponge modulated anode biofilm accumulation and composition and yielded the highest and most stable voltage (0.109 ± 0.008 V) and the lowest charge-transfer resistance (7.20 Ω). Increasing its filling ratio reduced anode-associated biomass while sustaining power generation. At a volumetric filling ratio of 20%, PS20-MFC achieved the highest power density (0.118 ± 0.011 W m[-2]), with ammonium-nitrogen (NH4[+]-N) and total nitrogen (TN) removals of 64.61% and 62.49%, respectively. Biochar modestly improved electron recovery, with BC15-MFC achieving the highest cytochrome c (Cyt-c) content (1.81 ± 0.72 mg g[-1]) and coulombic efficiency (6.16 ± 1.21%). At higher biochar filling ratios, Geobacter was relatively more abundant in carrier biofilms than in anode biofilms. This spatial pattern, together with the electrochemical results, suggests that carrier-associated communities may contribute to the observed differences in electron recovery. However, the higher electron recovery was accompanied by only limited gains in nitrogen removal, indicating distinct responses of these two reactor functions to biochar addition. Thus, bio-carrier type shapes the dominant regulatory response, whereas filling ratio modulates biofilm organization and electron recovery, providing mechanistic insights to guide MBBR-MFC design.},
}

@article {pmid42930409,
year = {2026},
author = {Cobb, CM and Harrel, SK and Zhao, D},
title = {Assessment of Air Polishing with Erythritol Powder on the Removal of Biofilm and Dental Calculus: An Ex Vivo Pilot Study.},
journal = {Dentistry journal},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/dj14100643},
pmid = {42930409},
issn = {2304-6767},
abstract = {Background: Air polishing with erythritol powder has recently been promoted as a method for removing calculus and biofilm in periodontal pockets of up to 9 mm depth. This ex vivo study was conducted to determine the impact of erythritol air polishing, for various time periods, on subgingival calculus and associated biofilm. Methods: Specimens consisted of 33 extracted teeth. Test sites with visible calculus were circumscribed using a 4 mm trephine bur on the root surface of each specimen. Positive controls were treated with air-water spray only. Test site treatment consisted of air polishing with erythritol powder with a 14 µm particle size. Fifteen positive control and 15 test specimens were subdivided into 3 groups of 5 specimens each and treated for 5, 10 and 15 s, respectively. The remaining three specimens were untreated negative controls. All specimens were examined using SEM. Selected specimens were subjected to EDS analysis. Results: Calculus was observed in all specimens across all treatment groups. Bacteria embedded in calculus and the extracellular polymeric matrix were consistently present across treatment groups. Treatment duration was associated with a reduction in surface biofilm, but no duration of treatment eliminated calculus or deeply embedded bacteria. Conclusions: The results of this ex vivo pilot study suggest that erythritol air polishing of calculus-laden root surfaces does not completely remove subgingival calculus or calculus-embedded microbes. Following treatment, smear layers with embedded microbes were noted on 55% of specimens. The study results suggest that erythritol air polishing protocols, in a clinical setting, may still be dependent on subgingival scaling and root planning to achieve the traditional endpoints of periodontal therapy.},
}

@article {pmid42924002,
year = {2026},
author = {Stindlova, M and Kuzelova Kostakova, E and Jencova, V and Havlickova, K and Peroutka, V and Zdenkova, K and Chudobova, E and Stepanova, J and Lukas, D and Peroutkova, S},
title = {Influence of Fiber Diameter and Surface Structure of Polycaprolactone Nanofibrous Materials on Yeast Retention and Biofilm Formation.},
journal = {ACS omega},
volume = {11},
number = {41},
pages = {63692-63706},
pmid = {42924002},
issn = {2470-1343},
abstract = {Understanding how microorganisms interact with nanofibrous materials (NMs) is essential for designing functional surfaces, yet morphology-yeast interactions remain far less studied than bacterial systems. Here, we investigated how fiber diameter and secondary surface structuring of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) NMs affect yeast retention, adhesion, biofilm development, and cell transfer. Five PCL NMs were prepared from two PCL molecular weights (PCL45, PCL80) as smooth fibers and as structured fibers generated by two distinct post-processing routes: polymer-spray-induced texturing (PCL45_80, PCL80_80) and enzymatic surface restructuring (PCL80_E). Interactions with model yeasts (Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and ATCC 90028; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763 and CCM 8381) were assessed by retention, biofilm biomass and metabolic activity during static growth (2 h, 24 h, 72 h), and SEM imaging; cell transfer from colonized agar to NMs was measured using an adapted agar-mesh assay. All tested PCL NMs exhibited high retention (84.7-100%), regardless of fiber diameter or secondary structures. Material-dependent differences were most pronounced during early adhesion, whereas biofilm formed on all NMs and its biomass was strongly strain-specific. Overall, NMs with larger fiber diameter (PCL80 series) supported denser yeast colonization than PCL45, while the secondary structures used here did not confer antifungal activity nor enhance biofilm formation. For cell transfer, PCL45_80 exhibited the highest attachment potential, yet ∼50 % of cells remained on the donor surface. Collectively, these results show that PCL nanofiber morphology modulates yeast-surface interactions primarily by tuning early attachment and colonization capacity.},
}

@article {pmid42924216,
year = {2026},
author = {Peng, TY and Lai, SY and Wu, YA and Yang, YT and Mine, Y and Huang, HY},
title = {Physico-mechanical properties and Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation of bio-based flexible crowns versus stainless steel and zirconia crowns for pediatric full-coverage restorations.},
journal = {Journal of dental sciences},
volume = {21},
number = {4},
pages = {2211-2218},
pmid = {42924216},
issn = {2213-8862},
abstract = {BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Bio-based flexible (BFX) have recently emerged as a potential alternative to conventional pediatric full-coverage restorations, but evidence regarding their properties and microbial behavior remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physico-mechanical properties and microbial behavior of BFX crown compared with stainless steel crowns (SSC) and zirconia crowns (ZRC) for pediatric full-coverage restorations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mandibular primary molar crowns from BFX, SSC, and ZRC were assessed. Weight was measured using an electronic balance, and surface roughness and topography were evaluated using a stylus profilometer and atomic force microscopy. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) and root mean square roughness (Rq) were determined. Compressive strength was assessed using a universal testing machine, and deformation was quantified as the root mean square (RMS) deviation from three-dimensional scans. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm formation was quantified using crystal violet staining, with optical density measured at 490 nm (OD490) at 24 and 48 h. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post hoc test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: BFX crowns had the lowest mean weight (0.15 g) and the highest surface roughness parameters Ra (0.162 μm) and Rq (0.121 μm) among the tested systems (P < 0.05); they also exhibited a more irregular and undulating surface, as indicated by three-dimensional surface topography analysis. Furthermore, BFX exhibited the highest maximum compressive load (1306.5 N) and a significantly greater RMS deformation, suggesting a more compliant mechanical behavior (P < 0.05). Over time, S. mutans biofilm accumulation was consistently greater on BFX than on SSC and ZRC surfaces (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: BFX crowns combine low weight, high load-bearing capacity, and mechanical compliance, offering a potential alternative for pediatric full-coverage restorations. However, their greater surface roughness and biofilm formation may increase bacterial adhesion, warranting cautious use in pediatric population with high caries risk.},
}

@article {pmid42918665,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, Z and Liu, YN and Liu, B and Cao, B},
title = {Integrated nanocoating and biofilm engineering enhance extracellular electron transfer.},
journal = {Trends in biotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.09.026},
pmid = {42918665},
issn = {1879-3096},
abstract = {Extracellular electron transfer (EET) at the cell-electrode interface is central to microbial electrochemical technologies. It remains constrained by the low conductivity of individual cells, physiological impairment associated with coating the cell surface with an interconnected, conductive polymer layer, and a limited capability for biofilm formation. Here, we develop a conductive, enhanced, and dynamic biohybrid system to overcome these barriers. We establish a recovery strategy for Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 cells coated with a conductive polydopamine (PDA) nanoshell, restoring cellular physiology while retaining the coating. The recovered cells exhibit enhanced EET and reduced charge-transfer resistance. We further promote biofilm formation in the recovered PDA-coated cells using a cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP)-targeted optogenetic approach. This integrated strategy generates a highly conductive, enhanced electrode biofilm with further improved EET and reduced charge-transfer resistance. This work highlights the importance of preserving cell physiology in the design of conductive biofilms and establishes a framework that integrates material coating with biofilm engineering for advanced bioelectronic interfaces.},
}

@article {pmid42918926,
year = {2026},
author = {López-Arias, L and Alvarez, N and Helman, E and Herrera, J and Leone, M and Farber, M},
title = {Detection and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. in aquatic biofilm from the soto stream, Buenos Aires, Argentina.},
journal = {Parasitology research},
volume = {125},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42918926},
issn = {1432-1955},
support = {PICT-2021-I-INVI-00564//Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica/ ; },
mesh = {Argentina ; *Blastocystis/isolation & purification/classification/genetics/physiology ; *Biofilms/growth & development ; *Rivers/parasitology ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics/chemistry ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics/chemistry ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Genotype ; },
abstract = {Blastocystis is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal parasites in humans. This protist has been detected in water from various sources, with the highest prevalence in wastewater. In a previous study, we demonstrated that Blastocystis can adhere to and maintain viability within aquatic biofilms in wastewater. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate wastewater contamination by viable Blastocystis at four sites along an urban stream (Buenos Aires, Argentina) using aquatic biofilms. Two sampling strategies were employed: retrieval from fallen and submerged plant leaves (natural surfaces) and from submerged glass slides (artificial surfaces) at three time points. Biofilms were cultured in Jones' medium to assess parasite viability, and Blastocystis subtypes were identified by PCR and sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene. Contamination levels at each site were evaluated 15 days after the glass slides were immersed, and the results were expressed as cysts per milligram of biofilm. Biofilms containing viable parasites were more frequently detected at sites with higher population density. The loads ranged from 1 to 61 cysts per milligram of biofilm, with remarkably higher values at the sites with most significant human impact. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of subtypes ST1 (allele 4), ST4 (allele 42), and ST8 (allele 21 and allele 95), with ST1 and ST8 being the most prevalent across sampling periods. The two sampling strategies proved useful, although their applicability depends on the specific objective of the study. This study provides the first evidence supporting the use of aquatic biofilms as an effective tool for monitoring viable Blastocystis in wastewater and for assessing spatial and temporal contamination patterns.},
}

Argentina
*Blastocystis/isolation & purification/classification/genetics/physiology
*Biofilms/growth & development
*Rivers/parasitology
DNA, Protozoan/genetics/chemistry
Sequence Analysis, DNA
DNA, Ribosomal/genetics/chemistry
Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics
Genotype

@article {pmid42919178,
year = {2026},
author = {Azizi, M and Saniee, P and Ramezani, M},
title = {Gastric microbiota‑derived postbiotics as antimicrobial and anti‑biofilm agents.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42919178},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {IR.NIMAD.REC.1398.421//National Institute of Medical Research Development (NIMAD), Tehran, Iran/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; Candida albicans/drug effects/physiology ; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology ; *Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology/metabolism ; *Bacteria/isolation & purification/classification/genetics/drug effects ; *Probiotics/pharmacology ; Caco-2 Cells ; Gastritis/microbiology ; Microbial Viability/drug effects ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Stomach/microbiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics/chemistry ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Bacterial Adhesion ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The human gastric microbiota is recognized as a diverse and metabolically active ecosystem with significant roles in health and disease. Beyond probiotics, postbiotics, non-viable microbial products with antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties, offer stable and safer therapeutic alternatives. Rising antimicrobial resistance and biofilm associated infections caused by pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans highlight the urgent need for new strategies. Based on this evidence, the present study aimed to isolate bacterial strains from gastric biopsies of patients with gastritis, evaluate their probiotic traits with molecular confirmation, and prepare postbiotics from these strains. The antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of the postbiotics were then tested in vitro against S. aureus and C. albicans, two clinically relevant biofilm-forming pathogens.

RESULTS: From 20 gastric biopsies, 65 isolates were recovered, mostly Gram‑positive bacilli (n = 52). β‑hemolytic strains (n = 29) were excluded, leaving 34 for probiotic screening. Nine isolates survived strongly at pH 2.5 (> 10⁶ CFU/mL), and several showed bile salt resistances with inhibition rates between 0.1 ± 0.1 and 2.4 ± 0.3. 2 isolates maintained high viable counts under simulated gastric juice at 4 h and 24 h, adhered strongly to Caco‑2 cells, and produced ammonia from L‑arginine. 16S rRNA sequencing identified one (Q3) as Lacticaseibacillus and the other (M2) as Ligilactobacillus. Both were resistant to vancomycin, ceftazidime, and amikacin. Postbiotics were prepared from extracellular and intracellular metabolites through centrifugation, filtration, lysis, and lyophilization, yielding PQ3 and PM2. MIC assays showed PQ3 inhibited S. aureus at 0.125 g/mL and C. albicans at 0.5 g/mL, while PM2 was more potent (0.0625 g/mL and 0.125 g/mL, p < 0.0001). MBC/MFC assays confirmed stronger killing by PM2, with bactericidal activity at 0.125 g/mL versus 0.25 g/mL for PQ3, and fungicidal activity at 0.5 g/mL versus 1.0 g/mL (p < 0.0001). Biofilm assays revealed PQ3 reduced S. aureus biofilms by 18-49% and C. albicans by 28-51%, whereas PM2 achieved 27-74% and 56-85% inhibition respectively (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Gastric‑derived postbiotics demonstrated strong antibacterial, antifungal, and anti‑biofilm activity. These results highlight their promise for future investigation, although in vivo validation, future genomic and mechanistic studies are needed to further support the therapeutic potentials of gastric‑derived postbiotics.},
}

Humans
*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
Candida albicans/drug effects/physiology
Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology
*Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology/metabolism
*Bacteria/isolation & purification/classification/genetics/drug effects
*Probiotics/pharmacology
Caco-2 Cells
Gastritis/microbiology
Microbial Viability/drug effects
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Stomach/microbiology
Sequence Analysis, DNA
DNA, Bacterial/genetics/chemistry
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Bacterial Adhesion
Molecular Sequence Data
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

@article {pmid42919220,
year = {2026},
author = {Alabdullatif, M},
title = {Predominance of SCCmec type III, multidrug resistance, and evidence of ica-independent biofilm formation among clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.},
journal = {BMC infectious diseases},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42919220},
issn = {1471-2334},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development/drug effects ; Saudi Arabia/epidemiology ; Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; *Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology/epidemiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics ; *Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/genetics/isolation & purification/physiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Female ; Adult ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus remains one of the most common causes of infections, with its clinical treatment complicated by the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains and the bacterial ability to form biofilms. This study aimed to determine biofilm formation, MDR, and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing of S. aureus isolated from a private hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a one-year period (February 2025 - February 2026). A total of 1,604 clinical samples were collected from patients (> 18 years), and isolates were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Biofilm formation was assessed via crystal violet assay, quantified by OD492, and classified by Stepanović's method. The presence of mecA, icaA, and SCCmec types were detected via polymerase chain reactions (PCR).

RESULTS: From 1,604 samples, 107 (6.67%) non-duplicate S. aureus isolates were obtained, primarily from urine (34.6%; 37/107). Isolates were more frequent among females (61.7%; 66/107) and patients aged 41-60 (58.8%; 63/107). Among the isolates, 62.6% (67/107) were identified as methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 71.9% (77/107) were MDR. Biofilm formation was observed in 72.9% (78/107) of isolates (25.2% strong, 17.8% moderate, and 29.9% weak). Notably, only 15.9% (17/107) of isolates carried the icaA gene, suggesting that the majority of biofilm formation occurs via ica-independent mechanisms. Biofilm-forming isolates exhibited significantly higher resistance to cefoxitin (P < 0.001) and ciprofloxacin (P = 0.028) compared to non-biofilm isolates. MRSA, MDR, and the mecA and icaA genes were likewise significantly more prevalent in biofilm-formers (P < 0.05). SCCmec type III was the most frequent among the MRSA isolates (46.3%; 31/67).

CONCLUSION: This study highlights a strong correlation of biofilm formation with increased antibiotic resistance among our S. aureus clinical isolates. The high prevalence of MRSA, MDR, and SCCmec type III suggest the need for continuous surveillance and robust infection control strategies to manage clinical pathogens.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development/drug effects
Saudi Arabia/epidemiology
Humans
Cross-Sectional Studies
*Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology/epidemiology
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics
*Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/genetics/isolation & purification/physiology
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Female
Adult
Bacterial Proteins/genetics
Male
Middle Aged

@article {pmid42920704,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, C and Wang, Y and Zhou, S and Han, G and Zhai, Y},
title = {Antimicrobial activity of ginsenoside Rh2 against Enterococcus faecalis and its biofilm.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1979316},
pmid = {42920704},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is frequently associated with persistent root canal infections and treatment failure, and effective strategies for its elimination remain limited. Plant-derived compounds may provide alternative antimicrobial strategies for endodontic treatment.

METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2), a bioactive compound derived from ginseng, against planktonic and biofilm forms of E. faecalis. The effects of Rh2 on extracellular polysaccharide (EPS)-associated carbohydrate content and biofilm metabolic activity were evaluated using the phenol-sulfuric acid and MTT assays, respectively. Biofilm structural alterations were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The cytotoxicity of Rh2 toward L929 cells was assessed using an MTT assay, with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) serving as the reference antimicrobial agent.

RESULTS: Rh2 exhibited antibacterial activity against planktonic E. faecalis, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.125 μg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 6.250 μg/mL. Rh2 inhibited biofilm formation and reduced the biomass of established biofilms at 2 × MIC and 4 × MIC. Rh2 also markedly reduced EPS-associated carbohydrate content, altered biofilm architecture, and decreased the metabolic activity of biofilm-associated bacteria. Under the tested conditions, Rh2 exhibited favorable cellular compatibility at concentrations with antibacterial activity against E. faecalis.

CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the in vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Rh2 against E. faecalis and support further investigation of its potential as an intracanal antimicrobial agent.},
}

@article {pmid42920768,
year = {2026},
author = {Zeng, Y and Wu, Z and Yan, Z and Wang, Y and Yang, Z and Huang, Y and Cao, S and Yao, X},
title = {Phage vB_KpnS_MK54: lPS-associated factors involved in phage adsorption and depolymerase-driven anti-biofilm effects.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1963357},
pmid = {42920768},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Understanding phage K. pneumoniae-host interactions is essential for elucidating phage infection mechanisms and developing phage-derived antibacterial strategies. This showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays an important role in phage vB_KpnS_MK54 adsorption by constructing the isogenic deletion mutants LPKPΔmsbA and LPKPΔlpxB, in which phage adsorption was reduced by 2-3 log compared with the wild-type strain. Biofilms are associated with persistent infections and increased tolerance to antimicrobial treatment, posing a significant clinical challenge. We further characterized the recombinant depolymerase Dep_Zy, which exhibited potent depolymerase and antibiofilm activities, including depolymerase activity at 0.1 μg/mL, 55% inhibition of biofilm formation at 10 μg/mL, and 30% degradation of mature biofilms at 1 μg/mL. Notably, Dep_Zy potentiated the activity of conventional antibiotics, resulting in a 1-3 log reduction in biofilm-associated bacterial counts when combined with kanamycin, gentamicin, or streptomycin. These findings elucidate the molecular basis of phage-host interactions and highlight Dep_Zy as a promising enzymatic strategy for controlling multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae through biofilm disruption and antibiotic potentiation.},
}

@article {pmid42920972,
year = {2026},
author = {Kanungo, A and Kumar, R and Acharya, S},
title = {Evaluation of carvacrol and quercetin against surgical site infection pathogen Escherichia coli: In silico target identification, anti-biofilm efficacy, and cellular safety.},
journal = {Biochemistry and biophysics reports},
volume = {48},
number = {},
pages = {102837},
doi = {10.1016/j.bbrep.2026.102837},
pmid = {42920972},
issn = {2405-5808},
abstract = {Surgical site infections (SSIs) are postoperative complications driven by biofilm development on surgical wounds or implanted medical equipment. SSIs create a risk in terms of morbidity, extended hospitalization, and in extreme cases may cause mortality. The multi-drug-resistant bacteria, which frequently exist as poly-microbial communities in biofilms, present multiple tolerance mechanisms that render SSIs extremely difficult to treat with standard antibiotics. Besides, biofilm development relies on genes/proteins which act as master regulators governing biofilm assembly. Thus, targeting these regulatory switches can effectively curb biofilm development. Phytochemicals have come up as a likely option that can be effective against biofilm-forming multi drug-resistant bacteria by interacting with biofilm forming master regulators. In this study, in silico approaches were implemented to compare the interacting efficiency of different phytochemicals on a master biofilm regulator protein in Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common SSI pathogen. Validation of the most potent phytochemicals after analyzing the in silico results were carried out under in vitro settings to confirm their antibacterial and antibiofilm potential against biofilm-forming bacteria. Furthermore, in vitro safety assessments on human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity, confirming the bio-compatibility of the phytochemicals at the therapeutic concentrations. Thus, targeting central biofilm regulators with non-toxic phytochemicals may to reduce the incidence of biofilm associated infections in post-surgery patients.},
}

@article {pmid42921020,
year = {2026},
author = {Ababneh, Q and Al-Rousan, E and Jaradat, Z and Almomani, G and Al-Obaidat, J and Alazzeh, R and Ogiliat, S and Al-Najjar, F},
title = {Retail Frozen Blended Beverages as Vehicles for Opportunistic Antibiotic-Resistant and Biofilm-Forming Bacteria.},
journal = {International journal of microbiology},
volume = {2026},
number = {},
pages = {3043052},
doi = {10.1155/ijm/3043052},
pmid = {42921020},
issn = {1687-918X},
abstract = {The consumption of milkshakes, slushies, and smoothies has increased due to their refreshing taste and nutritional benefits. However, the microbiological quality of these beverages poses significant public health concerns. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in these popular beverages, addressing a critical gap in food safety research. A total of 150 samples of milkshakes, smoothies, and slushies were collected, and the target bacteria were identified using microbiological and molecular methods. The obtained results revealed the prevalence of coliforms (50%), Klebsiella spp. (37.3%), Escherichia coli (9.3%), Acinetobacter spp. (4.6%), Listeria spp. (4.6%), and Staphylococcus spp. (4%) in the collected samples. Most isolates were sensitive to the tested antibiotics. Acinetobacter baumannii isolates exhibited high resistance levels against tetracycline (71.4%) and doxycycline (57.1%). The highest resistance among the 14 E. coli isolates was observed against ampicillin and sulfonamides (78.6%), while highest resistance rate among the Klebsiella isolates was observed against ampicillin (71.4%). Biofilm-forming ability varied among the isolates. Most Staphylococcus isolates (66.7%) and Acinetobacter isolates (71.4%) demonstrated strong biofilm-forming capacity, whereas the majority of Listeria isolates (85.7%) showed weak biofilm formation. These findings underscore the need for quality control measures to ensure continuous monitoring and enhancement of microbial safety of these products.},
}

@article {pmid42922307,
year = {2026},
author = {Novosiadlyi, R and Rozhko, M and Dmytryshyn, T and Kutsyk, R and Pelekhan, B and Kovalyshyn, K and Rozhko, S},
title = {The influence of chemical irrigants on the condition of the root canal biofilm in case of periodontitis treatment.},
journal = {Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)},
volume = {79},
number = {8},
pages = {1783-1790},
doi = {10.36740/WLek/222258},
pmid = {42922307},
issn = {0043-5147},
mesh = {Humans ; *Biofilms/drug effects ; *Root Canal Irrigants/pharmacology ; *Dental Pulp Cavity/microbiology ; *Periapical Periodontitis/microbiology/drug therapy ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Aim: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of commonly used endodontic irrigation solutions against bacterial and fungal isolates recovered from infected root canals in patients with apical periodontitis, in order to determine their relative effectiveness against clinically relevant endodontic microorganisms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The strains of opportunistic microorganisms representing the optionally anaerobic transient microflora of the oral cavity were used in the study. 11 chemical solutions used to eliminate microorganisms in the root canal, were applied in the microbiological study. Microbial cultures were isolated from the infected root canal and identified on the basis of morphological, cultural properties and such biochemical microtests as "STAPHYtest 16", "STREPTOtest 16" (Lachema, Czech Republic) and test systems VITEK 2 GP and VITEK 2 YST (biomerieux, France) using VITEK 2 Compact analyzer.

RESULTS: Results: Comparing the effect of irrigation solutions on S.aureus MSSA bacteria, such irrigant as Chlorhexedin 2% (Endohex) provided the most positive result Hypochlorite 5.25% (Cerkamed) provided a positive effect on C.ablicans as well constituting 88.82±1.65 in comparison with Chlorhexedine 2% (29.22±0). Citric acid 40% (Cerkamed) was the best to eliminated S.gordonii (27.28±0.35). However, Maleic acid 6% showed the least effect on it (6.55±0.45). Hypochlorite 5.25% (Cerkamed), Hypochlorite 6% Chloran showed the best influence on the Candida group, while Citric acid 40% showed the lowest influence.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The conducted microbiological studies showed a diverse effect of irrigation solutions on groups of different microorganisms causing periodontitis. The obtained results provide an opportunity to select differentially irrigation solutions for the elimination of microorganisms detected in the root canals. A positive result of the elimination of irrigation solutions on microorganisms causing periodontitis is observed.},
}

Humans
*Biofilms/drug effects
*Root Canal Irrigants/pharmacology
*Dental Pulp Cavity/microbiology
*Periapical Periodontitis/microbiology/drug therapy

@article {pmid42922900,
year = {2026},
author = {Guo, W and Xue, K},
title = {Commentary: Resistance breakers: a novel approach to tackle biofilm associated infections and antimicrobial resistance.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1976224},
pmid = {42922900},
issn = {1664-302X},
}

@article {pmid42923054,
year = {2026},
author = {Anand, G and Lahariya, R},
title = {Biofilm-associated healthcare-associated infections: mechanisms, clinical burden, and emerging therapeutic frontiers - a narrative review.},
journal = {GMS hygiene and infection control},
volume = {21},
number = {},
pages = {Doc66},
pmid = {42923054},
issn = {2196-5226},
abstract = {Biofilms are highly organized microbial communities embedded within an extracellular polymeric matrix and represent a critical yet underappreciated driver of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Their ability to colonize medical devices and host tissues underlies major infections, including central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections. Biofilm formation is dynamic, multistage process involving attachment, maturation, and dispersal of microorganisms, each phase reinforcing persistence and therapeutic failure. The matrix impedes immune clearance and antimicrobial penetration, while quorum sensing, metabolic heterogeneity, and persister cell formation further enhance tolerance. Clinically important bacterial and fungal biofilms, particularly those formed by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species, exhibit resistance far exceeding planktonic cells. Diagnostic limitations obscure true disease burden, and current strategies relying on antimicrobials and device removal remain inadequate amid rising resistance. This manuscript provides comprehensive synthesis of existing and novel strategies to mitigate HAIs, with particular emphasis on translational relevance.},
}

@article {pmid42906521,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, T and Hu, X and Yang, S and Sun, H and Zhang, R and Pang, Z and Chen, M and Ge, M and Luo, Y},
title = {Bimetallic biomimetic catalytic STING sensitizer for coordinating innate and adaptive immune responses against biofilm infections.},
journal = {Biomaterials},
volume = {338},
number = {Pt B},
pages = {124710},
doi = {10.1016/j.biomaterials.2026.124710},
pmid = {42906521},
issn = {1878-5905},
abstract = {Implant-related infections remain refractory because bacterial biofilms create a physical barrier and are accompanied by local immune dysfunction. Here, we develop a biomimetic metallo-immunocatalytic nanoplatform by cloaking a pH-responsive manganese-iron layered double hydroxide (MFH) core with an M1 macrophage membrane to form MFHM. This design integrates a structurally coupled Mn-Fe catalytic lattice with a functionally preserved biointerface, enabling infection-targeted delivery, colloidal stability, and microenvironment-responsive ion release. Within the acidic biofilm niche, the electronically coupled MFH core promotes Fe/Mn redox cycling and sustains Fenton-like reactive oxygen species generation, thereby disrupting extracellular polymeric substances, damaging bacterial membranes, and perturbing bacterial metal homeostasis. Concurrently, released Mn[2+] and redox-active Fe species act as immunomodulatory cues that enhance cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling, promote pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization and phagocytic function, and facilitate dendritic-cell maturation and downstream adaptive immune engagement. In a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus implant-associated infection model, MFHM markedly reduces bacterial burden, promotes tissue repair, and elicits a coordinated immune response that may support protective adaptive immunity, without apparent treatment-related systemic toxicity. These findings establish a catalytic-immune framework based on a biomimetic bimetallic nanostructure and highlight its potential therapeutic application in recalcitrant biofilm-associated infections.},
}

@article {pmid42906770,
year = {2026},
author = {Jin, M and Zhou, D and Li, M and Kong, X and Jiang, S and Li, Q and Tang, Y and Zhu, S and Wang, Y and Sun, W and Han, S and Wei, L and Zhou, L and Song, W},
title = {Diosmetin targets sortase A to inhibit biofilm formation and combines with vancomycin against MRSA-induced pneumonia.},
journal = {Biochimie},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.biochi.2026.10.026},
pmid = {42906770},
issn = {1638-6183},
abstract = {The global challenge of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has driven the development of anti-virulence strategies. Sortase A (SrtA), a key enzyme responsible for anchoring surface virulence factors in MRSA, represents a promising target to overcome the limitations of conventional antibiotics. This study investigated the therapeutic potential and anti-virulence activity of diosmetin against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In a mouse model of S. aureus-induced pneumonia, diosmetin combined with vancomycin significantly improved therapeutic efficacy, as evidenced by increased survival, reduced pulmonary bacterial burden, and attenuated histopathological injury. In vitro, diosmetin exhibited no direct antibacterial activity at concentrations up to 512 μg/mL, yet it potentiated the antibacterial effect of vancomycin, with a checkerboard assay yielding a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of 0.375. Diosmetin disrupted the early stages of biofilm development by impairing sliding motility, reducing exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, and inhibiting bacterial adhesion. Molecular docking identified SrtA as a potential target. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and point mutation assays further confirmed the direct interaction between diosmetin and SrtA. Meanwhile, the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay demonstrated that diosmetin inhibited SrtA activity, with an IC50 of 9.28 μg/mL. Functional assays using the ΔsrtA mutant further supported the critical role of SrtA in mediating diosmetin's anti-virulence effects. Additionally, diosmetin protected A549 cells against S. aureus-induced pyroptosis and provided protection in a Galleria mellonella (G. mellonella) infection model. Collectively, diosmetin represents a promising anti-virulence agent targeting SrtA-associated biofilm formation and an antibiotic adjuvant for vancomycin against MRSA pneumonia.},
}

@article {pmid42908343,
year = {2026},
author = {Adair, K and Sabatini, C and Stellrecht, E and Scannapieco, FA},
title = {Effect of Water Rinsing on Dental Biofilm pH After Exposure to Fermentable Carbohydrate: A Scoping Review.},
journal = {Oral diseases},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/odi.70543},
pmid = {42908343},
issn = {1601-0825},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The ability of rinsing with water following exposure to fermentable carbohydrate (FC) to raise dental biofilm pH has been surprisingly understudied. This scoping review's objective was to assess the evidence for water's effect on neutralization of dental biofilm pH following FC.

METHODS: The PRISMA-ScR checklist was followed for reporting this scoping review. Four databases were searched for studies that evaluated pH response of dental biofilms to FC followed by water rinsing. Two reviewers selected papers and extracted data independently.

RESULTS: A total of 1296 papers were identified; 14 studies met inclusion criteria and were further evaluated. Ten studies reported volume of water rinses. Of these studies, five used ≥ 20 mL water, and four of these studies found water to raise biofilm pH significantly. The five studies that reported using < 20 mL water did not find water to raise biofilm pH significantly.

CONCLUSION: Based on a small heterogenous set of studies, it may be summarized that rinsing with ≥ 20 mL of water following FC appears to neutralize dental biofilm; its effectiveness should be further investigated as a cost-effective, accessible, dental-caries prevention strategy.},
}

@article {pmid42908345,
year = {2026},
author = {Jiang, K and Wang, W and Lei, H and Wang, T and Xu, L and Yang, Y and Zhou, R and Lin, T and Huang, Y},
title = {D-enantiomeric β-casein 197 disrupts biofilm-associated infection of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii through superior LPS binding and host cell protection.},
journal = {Virulence},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {2749928},
doi = {10.1080/21505594.2026.2749928},
pmid = {42908345},
issn = {2150-5608},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; *Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/physiology ; *Acinetobacter baumannii/drug effects/physiology ; Animals ; *Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism ; *Caseins/pharmacology/chemistry ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry ; Humans ; *Antimicrobial Peptides/pharmacology ; Acinetobacter Infections/microbiology/drug therapy ; Moths/microbiology ; Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology/drug therapy ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; },
abstract = {Biofilms formed by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are a major cause of chronic nosocomial infections and therapeutic failure. L-form antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are rapidly degraded by proteases, whereas D-enantiomeric peptides offer enhanced resistance to proteases. Here, we synthesized L- and D-β-casein 197, a milk-derived AMP, and systematically compared their antibiofilm activities against eight clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. The D-form reduced biofilm biomass by up to 83% during formation and by up to 88% in preformed biofilms. Mechanistic analyses revealed that the D-form caused more extensive membrane disruption, as demonstrated by flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that the D-form bound LPS with higher affinity (KD 0.8 μM vs 3.1 μM), and molecular docking identified additional hydrogen bonds with lipid A. The D-form also more effectively inhibited bacterial motility. Both peptides exhibited low cytotoxicity toward cells (>90% viability at 100 μM), and the D-form reduced bacteria-induced cytotoxicity and bacterial internalization in infected macrophages more effectively than the L-form. In a Galleria mellonella infection model, D-β-casein 197 significantly improved survival against P. aeruginosa no. R1 and A. baumannii no. 13 challenge over 96 h compared to the L-form and untreated infected controls, while larval survival remained comparable to PBS controls, indicating negligible host toxicity. These findings identify D-β-casein 197 as a potent antibiofilm peptide against MDR Gram-negative biofilms, with enhanced activity, and LPS-neutralization assays confirmed that its antimicrobial potency is, at least in part, attributable to its stronger LPS binding affinity.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
*Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/physiology
*Acinetobacter baumannii/drug effects/physiology
Animals
*Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism
*Caseins/pharmacology/chemistry
Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry
Humans
*Antimicrobial Peptides/pharmacology
Acinetobacter Infections/microbiology/drug therapy
Moths/microbiology
Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology/drug therapy
Molecular Docking Simulation

@article {pmid42909076,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, D and Yuan, F and Yang, Y and Zhou, K and Xie, F and Li, Z and Huang, X and Huang, M and Lin, M},
title = {ZnPc(Lys)5-mediated photodynamic inactivation and reduction of Candida albicans biofilm-associated cells in vitro and in vivo.},
journal = {Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology},
volume = {14},
number = {},
pages = {1953510},
pmid = {42909076},
issn = {2296-4185},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Candida-associated stomatitis is a common oral mucosal condition, particularly among denture wearers, and is closely associated with persistent Candida albicans biofilms on denture surfaces. ZnPc(Lys)5 is an amphiphilic phthalocyanine-peptide nanomaterial that has previously been shown to form nanoscale supramolecular assemblies in aqueous environments. This study evaluated the efficacy of ZnPc(Lys)5-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in reducing denture-associated Candida biofilms and alleviating associated mucosal inflammation.

METHODS: Candida albicans suspensions were cultured in vitro, and biofilms were formed on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a common denture base material. The antifungal effects of different concentrations of ZnPc(Lys)5 combined with aPDT were assessed against both planktonic Candida and biofilms. Biofilm structural changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the effects on PMMA physical properties (microhardness [HV] and surface roughness [Ra]) were analyzed. Additionally, a mouse model of Candida-associated stomatitis was used to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antifungal efficacy of ZnPc(Lys)5-aPDT following repeated applications (three treatments over 5 days).

RESULTS: ZnPc(Lys)5-mediated aPDT exerted a significant concentration-dependent fungicidal effect on planktonic C. albicans, with a minimum effective concentration (MEC) of 25 μM and no observed dark toxicity. Against mature biofilms, the 50 μM aPDT treatment achieved a reduction of approximately 96% in recoverable viable biofilm-associated cells (P < 0.0001), which was comparable to the efficacy of the commercial cleanser Polident (P > 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed significant disruption of biofilm architecture, while no significant alterations in PMMA microhardness or surface roughness were observed (P > 0.05). In vivo, repeated applications of ZnPc(Lys)5-aPDT significantly reduced epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltration, demonstrating therapeutic efficacy comparable to nystatin.

CONCLUSION: ZnPc(Lys)5-aPDT demonstrated significant antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo without compromising PMMA integrity. These findings support ZnPc(Lys)5 as a promising photosensitizer for denture-surface biofilm control and mucosal inflammation mitigation, warranting further investigation under extended or multi-session clinical protocols.},
}

@article {pmid42909636,
year = {2026},
author = {Carneiro, VA and Azevedo, ÁMA and da Silva, BF and Melo, RS and Pereira, AMG and Cavalcante, RMB and Junior, FEAC},
title = {Eugenol Activity Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus: Biofilm Disruption and Additive Interactions with Antibiotics.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {83},
number = {12},
pages = {},
pmid = {42909636},
issn = {1432-0991},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology/growth & development ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Escherichia coli/drug effects/physiology/growth & development ; *Eugenol/pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Ciprofloxacin/pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Oxacillin/pharmacology ; Humans ; },
abstract = {The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and their ability to form biofilms represent significant challenges in infection control. This study evaluated the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of eugenol (Eug) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus from food and clinical sources. Antibacterial activity was assessed using disk diffusion, broth microdilution (MIC/MBC), and bacterial growth kinetics. Antibiofilm activity was measured by crystal violet staining, CFU enumeration, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Checkerboard assays evaluated the combinatorial effect of Eug with ciprofloxacin and oxacillin. Eug exhibited inhibition zones of 13-22 mm and MIC/MBC values of 1000-2000 µg/mL. Subinhibitory concentrations significantly delayed bacterial growth. Biofilm biomass was reduced by up to 90% in E. coli and 80% in S. aureus, with SEM confirming structural alterations. Checkerboard assays revealed additive interactions with antibiotics. These findings provide additional evidence of Eug's antibacterial properties and support further investigation into its combinatorial effects with antibiotics against biofilm-associated challenges.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology/growth & development
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Escherichia coli/drug effects/physiology/growth & development
*Eugenol/pharmacology
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Ciprofloxacin/pharmacology
Drug Synergism
Oxacillin/pharmacology
Humans

@article {pmid42909840,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, M and Zhu, W and Wang, A and Li, H and Zhao, S and Wang, W and Xia, X and Ren, X},
title = {Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Cell-Free Supernatant of Lactobacillus johnsonii Against Salmonella Typhimurium.},
journal = {Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42909840},
issn = {1867-1314},
support = {2022YFD2100104//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 2023JH1/11200001//Liaoning Innovation Consortia Major Project/ ; LJBKY2024042//Basic Scientific Research Funds of U niversities in Liaoning Province/ ; 2025-Y01//CIFST - Yakult China Foundation of Intestinal Health and Probiotics for Young Scientists/ ; },
abstract = {Salmonella Typhimurium is a predominant foodborne pathogen whose robust biofilm-forming capacity poses a persistent challenge to food safety and public health. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of cell-free supernatant (CFS) derived from Lactobacillus johnsonii on biofilms and characterized the transcriptional responses associated with CFS exposure using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). L.johnsonii CFS retarded bacterial growth at high concentrations. Moreover, CFS at various concentrations significantly inhibited biofilm formation in both S. Typhimurium strains, SL1344 and 14028, with maximum inhibition rates of 88.22% and 79.32%, respectively. CFS treatment markedly reduced metabolic activity, surface hydrophobicity, and auto-aggregation, meanwhile impaired bacterial motility and disrupted the architectural integrity of the biofilms. Furthermore, the CFS effectively prevented biofilm formation on various food and food-contact surfaces. RNA-seq analysis revealed that CFS treatment significantly altered the transcriptional profiles of Salmonella, with differentially expressed genes mainly enriched in ribosome, carbon metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and microbial metabolism in diverse environments. These findings demonstrate the antibiofilm potential of L. johnsonii CFS under laboratory conditions and indicate its potential in controlling Salmonella contamination in food industry.},
}

@article {pmid42910013,
year = {2026},
author = {Rodrigues, KVD and Alves, MHO and de Oliveira, TOB and Oliveira, VN and Oliveira, PHS and Malaquias, LKC and da Silva, WJ and da Silva, LE and Costa, RC},
title = {DentFilm v1.0: an expert-annotated clinical image dataset of complete denture biofilm.},
journal = {Data in brief},
volume = {69},
number = {},
pages = {113318},
pmid = {42910013},
issn = {2352-3409},
abstract = {Publicly available expert-annotated datasets are essential for developing robust artificial intelligence (AI) models in dentistry. Although several image datasets have been developed for applications involving natural teeth, no publicly available dataset currently exists for automated analysis of biofilm on conventional acrylic resin complete dentures. To address this gap, we present the first expert-annotated clinical image dataset specifically designed for computer vision research on complete denture biofilm. The dataset comprises 720 total files (630 standardized clinical photographs and 90 expert-annotated segmentation masks) obtained from 30 edentulous participants wearing maxillary conventional acrylic resin complete dentures. Images were acquired under controlled conditions at three stages of a denture hygiene protocol (before biofilm disclosure, after 0.5% basic fuchsin application, and after biofilm removal) and include frontal, right lateral, left lateral, right oblique, left oblique, occlusal, and intaglio views. Expert-generated pixel-level segmentation masks were manually created using the disclosed images as visual references, and each image is accompanied by structured metadata describing participant identification, acquisition stage, photographic view, and annotation files. The dataset is organized using a standardized directory structure to facilitate reproducible machine learning workflows and is publicly available through Zenodo. This resourceprovides the first publicly available benchmark dataset for complete denture biofilm analysis, supporting semantic segmentation, image classification, explainable AI, algorithm benchmarking, and the development of automated systems for denture hygiene assessment.},
}

@article {pmid42910901,
year = {2026},
author = {Saravanan, V and Namperumal, L and Ibraheam Attur Mohamed, MN and Sherin, F and Soman, S},
title = {Quality-by-Design-Guided Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive Antimicrobial Nanotheranostics for Biofilm Eradication: A Translational Perspective.},
journal = {Drug development and industrial pharmacy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-28},
doi = {10.1080/03639045.2026.2752974},
pmid = {42910901},
issn = {1520-5762},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Biofilm-associated infections remain a major therapeutic challenge due to extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) barriers, metabolic heterogeneity, and hypoxic microenvironments that limit antimicrobial penetration and efficacy. Antimicrobial nanotheranostics have emerged as multifunctional platforms that combine targeted drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, and stimuli-responsive therapeutic activation to overcome these barriers.

SIGNIFICANCE OF REVIEW: Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive and oxygen-modulating nanoplatforms represent a promising strategy for biofilm eradication by enhancing oxidative antibacterial activity and improving therapeutic penetration within complex biofilm environments. However, their clinical translation remains constrained by challenges related to reproducibility, scalability, safety, and regulatory compliance. This review addresses these limitations through the integration of Quality-by-Design (QbD) principles into antimicrobial nanotheranostic development.

KEY FINDINGS: Recent advances in ROS-responsive and oxygen-regulating nanotheranostic systems are critically examined, with emphasis on the interdependence of hypoxia and ROS generation. The review highlights oxygen-carrying and oxygen-generating nanoplatforms, stimuli-responsive therapeutic strategies, and imaging-guided approaches for biofilm eradication. Furthermore, a QbD-based framework is presented, focusing on Quality Target Product Profiles (QTPPs), Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs), Critical Material Attributes (CMAs), and Critical Process Parameters (CPPs). Functional CQAs, including ROS generation kinetics, oxygen modulation efficiency, and biofilm penetration depth, are identified as key determinants of therapeutic performance and reproducibility.

CONCLUSIONS: The integration of ROS-responsive nanotheranostics with QbD principles provides a rational strategy for developing clinically translatable antibiofilm therapies. Defining performance-linked quality attributes and robust design spaces can improve reproducibility, safety, scalability, and regulatory compliance, thereby accelerating the development of next-generation antimicrobial nanotheranostic systems for persistent biofilm-associated infections.},
}

@article {pmid42912078,
year = {2026},
author = {Balderrama, ÍF and Nascimento, KBD and Souza, CWO and Souza, MT and Zanotto, ED and Marcantonio, E},
title = {Antibacterial activity and biofilm inhibition of a novel bioactive glass coating (F18) on titanium discs.},
journal = {Brazilian dental journal},
volume = {37},
number = {},
pages = {e257059},
pmid = {42912078},
issn = {1806-4760},
mesh = {*Titanium/chemistry ; *Biofilms/drug effects ; *Glass/chemistry ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Coated Materials, Biocompatible/pharmacology ; *Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects ; Surface Properties ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; },
abstract = {This study aimed to investigate the anti-biofilm and bactericidal activity of biofunctionalized titanium with either nanohydroxyapatite or F18 bioactive glass against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. For that, discs (6.0mm diameter and 3.0 mm thickness) with different surface treatments were studied and divided into three groups: 1) machined titanium (M); 2) coated with Nano-hydroxyapatite (Nano-Ha); 3) Biofunctionalized with F18 bioactive glass (BSF18). Surface characterization was investigated through energy-dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and bioactivity assays. Antibacterial activity was investigated according to the JIS Z 2801:2010 standard and ISO 22196:2011. The samples were evaluated for UFC/mL, biofilm morphology, and confocal laser scanning microscopy was performed after 24 h. The results showed that BSF18 biofunctionalized discs significantly reduced viable bacterial adhesion compared with Nano-Ha and M groups (3.93±0.14; 5.68±0.26; and 5.57±0.16; p<0.0001; respectively). The morphology analysis revealed a smaller number of adhered bacterial cells for BSF18 samples when compared to the M and Nano-HA, additionally, the biofunctionalization of titanium discs with F18 bioactive glass was effective in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm after direct contact for 24 hours analyzed by confocal laser microscopy which demonstrated greater values for dead cells and lesser live cells for BSF18 surface when compared to machined and Nano-HA (p<0.05). F18 bioactive glass can be a promising biomaterial for preventing and controlling infection by S. aureus on titanium implants. It could be a valid infection-preventing strategy for implant dentistry clinical practice.},
}

*Titanium/chemistry
*Biofilms/drug effects
*Glass/chemistry
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Coated Materials, Biocompatible/pharmacology
*Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects
Surface Properties
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Microscopy, Confocal
Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects
Microscopy, Atomic Force

@article {pmid42912835,
year = {2026},
author = {Wu, Y and Zhang, Y and Xie, S and Li, X and Han, X and Wang, H and Li, W and Yang, D and Liu, X and Wang, P and Zeng, Q and Liao, Y and Zheng, J},
title = {Aptamer-Functionalized Pro-Photosensitizers for Targeted Elimination of Drug-Resistant Bacterial Biofilm Infection by Sequentially Activated Photodynamic-Antibiotic Therapy.},
journal = {Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/smll.76426},
pmid = {42912835},
issn = {1613-6829},
support = {2025ZD01901903//National Science and Technology Major Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China/ ; 82472210//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82503046//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82302842//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82560451//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2025AAC020073//National Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia/ ; JCXK2025006-FY04//Interdisciplinary Construction Program of College of Laboratory Medicine, Ningxia Medical University/ ; XT2025031//Special Talents Start-up Project of Ningxia Medical University/ ; 2024A1515011611//Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province/ ; 2023A1515110035//Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province/ ; SKXRC2025354//Guangdong Provincial Association for Science and Technology - Youth Science and Technology Talent Development Project/ ; },
abstract = {Drug-resistant bacterial infections seriously threaten public health, and the formation of a biofilm barrier plays an important role. Drug-resistant biofilms are difficult to remove because the penetration and specificity of traditional antimicrobial drugs are poor, and the microenvironment in the inner layer of biofilms is hypoxic. Herein, we developed activatable aptamer-functionalized pro-photosensitizers (APMB) by modifying the clinical photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) with an aptamer that can specifically bind to drug-resistant bacteria. The APMB can simultaneously achieve imaging-guided efficient anti-infection and biofilm destruction, thereby increasing the therapeutic efficiency of the treatment of bacterial biofilm infections. Additionally, we co-loaded APMB and the antibiotic metronidazole (MNZ) into hydrogels to prepare a degradable microneedle patch, which can utilize photodynamic effects to eliminate biofilms under normoxic conditions and potentiate the hypoxic microenvironment to activate the antibacterial activity of MNZ, ultimately resulting in the synergistic killing of deep-seated bacteria. To summarize, this simple and intelligent phototheranostic molecular platform improves deep anti-infection efficacy through the synergistic effect of sequential activation while decreasing systemic toxicity, thereby providing a promising avenue for clinical translation to combat antimicrobial resistance.},
}

@article {pmid42913078,
year = {2026},
author = {Qiu, X and Liu, Q and Lei, Y and Zhou, Y and Shi, Y and Xu, N and Wang, Y and Wang, Y and Miao, T and Wu, F and Wang, L and Deng, C},
title = {Access-to-killing relay by wavelength-division Janus nanomotors for biofilm phototherapy.},
journal = {Journal of colloid and interface science},
volume = {729},
number = {},
pages = {141801},
doi = {10.1016/j.jcis.2026.141801},
pmid = {42913078},
issn = {1095-7103},
abstract = {Biofilm phototherapy is constrained by therapeutic reach, as light-triggered damage is often concentrated near accessible regions while bacteria remain protected within the extracellular matrix. Here we report wavelength-division Janus nanomotors for access-gated biofilm phototherapy, in which asymmetric interfacial energy conversion and wavelength-resolved activation couple active transport with antibacterial action. Janus SiO2/Au/FeTAPP nanomotors (JSAF) combine asymmetric Au and FeTAPP functional domains on dendritic porous silica nanoparticles. Under 808 nm irradiation, the asymmetric Au domain enables 808 nm-responsive active motion consistent with self-thermophoretic transport and contributes to heat-assisted matrix traversal. In mature biofilms, JSA exhibits enhanced penetration and a broader depth distribution than a symmetric SiO2/Au photothermal control, indicating that photothermal matrix disruption alone does not fully reproduce the transport behavior of the Janus architecture. Under 630 nm irradiation, FeTAPP generates singlet oxygen for localized oxidative bacterial killing. Order-dependent irradiation supports an access-first, killing-second relationship, whereas combined dual-wavelength activation enables a continuous access-to-killing process as particle transport progressively extends localized oxidative action into deeper biofilm regions. This wavelength-addressed coupling reduces residual biofilm biomass and improves healing of S. aureus-infected wounds. These findings highlight interfacial asymmetry and wavelength-selective functional coupling as design principles for active colloids operating in transport-limited environments.},
}

@article {pmid42913419,
year = {2026},
author = {Bose, N and Sarkar, A and S Babu, A and Rao, KVB},
title = {Exploring the antibiofilm potential of marine Streptomyces sp. VITNABS17 against biofilm forming Klebsiella pneumoniae: an in vitro and in silico approach.},
journal = {Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-13},
doi = {10.1080/10826068.2026.2729250},
pmid = {42913419},
issn = {1532-2297},
abstract = {Biofilm-associated bacterial infections pose a significant challenge in clinical settings due to their persistence and reduced susceptibility to current antimicrobials, underscoring the need for novel antibiofilm agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of cell-free extracts from marine Streptomyces sp. using integrated in vitro and in silico approaches. Initial antibacterial screening by agar well diffusion assay identified VITNABS17 as the most active isolate, exhibiting a broad antibacterial spectrum against the tested bacterial pathogens. Evaluation of biofilm formation by tube method revealed K. pneumoniae as the strongest biofilm-forming pathogen. The ethyl acetate extract of VITNABS17 reduced K. pneumoniae biofilm biomass by 66.2 ± 0.22% at 20 mg/mL, while the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) was 1 mg/mL, corresponding to 55.50% inhibition. GC-MS analysis revealed a diverse metabolite profile, with diethyl phthalate identified as the most abundant compound. Molecular docking predicted binding affinities of -6.0 kcal/mol for MrkA and -4.4 kcal/mol for LuxS, indicating potential interactions of diethyl phthalate with biofilm-associated protein targets. The potential isolate was identified as Streptomyces sp. VITNABS17 by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Overall, these findings provide preliminary evidence for the antibiofilm potential of VITNABS17 and warrant further investigation into the identification and characterization of its active metabolites.},
}

@article {pmid42914079,
year = {2026},
author = {Shao, S and Jin, W and Chen, M and Ye, Z and Zhang, Z and Qiu, B and Zhong, J and Wu, X},
title = {Enhanced nitrogen and manganese removal in a manganese redox-driven moving bed biofilm reactor: role of extracellular polymeric substances.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {125994},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2026.125994},
pmid = {42914079},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {In this study, the continuous flow moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was developed for conversion of nitrogen and manganese including MBBR1 (R1, with manganese redox cycling function) and MBBR2 (R2, control group). The result suggested that NH4[+]-N removal reached 95±2% and 78±1% by R1 and R2 with NO3[-]-N effluent concentrations of 2.1±0.4 and 7.1±0.6 mg·L[-1], and TN removal through R1 increased compared with R2. Fluorescence characteristics and concentration of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were explored, and reactive oxygen species, apoptosis and enzyme activity of biofilm including the correlation between enzyme activity and EPS were analyzed. These results showed that protein decreased in R1 at 0-10 h, and it decreased in R2, and manganese addition promoted the development of an EPS-rich biofilm matrix. β-sheet content of EPS proteins increased from 29.9% in R2 to 34.6% in R1, and EPS mediated manganese redox might stimulate EPS production and simultaneously modified the chemical properties of EPS. Morphology, electrochemistry, and electron transport system activity of EPS/biofilm were investigated, and transcriptomic characteristics of biofilm were elaborated. These representations demonstrated that manganese redox cycling intensified the redox stress signal within biofilm. EPS mediated manganese redox might trigger oxidative stress, but the manganese-amended biofilm in R1 maintained the stronger antioxidant capacity and cell viability. Furthermore, manganese-amended biofilm from R1 had a strong response for protein synthesis and cellular machinery. This study deepens the application of EPS mediated manganese redox for nutrient removal.},
}

@article {pmid42914260,
year = {2026},
author = {Srinivasan, R and Wang, Y and Jin, X and Shi, Y and Chen, C and Zhao, Z},
title = {Isoborneol as a natural food-grade antimicrobial: Targeting biofilm resilience of Vibrio alginolyticus on seafood and contact material surfaces.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {245},
number = {Pt 3},
pages = {120831},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2026.120831},
pmid = {42914260},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Vibrio alginolyticus/drug effects ; *Seafood/microbiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Humans ; *Food Microbiology ; Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects ; Animals ; Caco-2 Cells ; },
abstract = {Vibrio alginolyticus is an emerging seafood-borne pathogen with a high ability to form biofilms on seafood and food-contact surfaces, causing persistent contamination and higher tolerance to sanitation. Here, we evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm and anti-virulence potential of isoborneol, a natural food-grade monoterpenoid, against V. alginolyticus in this study. Isoborneol consistently demonstrated antibacterial activity against V. alginolyticus, with minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of 500 μg/mL. Membrane permeability, nucleic acid leakage, extracellular protein release, extracellular ATP leakage and scanning electron microscopy collectively supported membrane impairment as an important factor in the antibacterial activity of isoborneol. Isoborneol also effectively reduced mature biofilm, metabolic activity and cell viability in a dose dependent manner. It inhibited immature biofilm formation, extracellular polymeric substance production, cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, swimming and swarming motilities and selectively modulated the expression of genes involved in quorum-sensing, biofilm formation, flagellar motility, type IV pili, and outer membrane functions. Isoborneol inhibited bacterial adhesion, invasion and V. alginolyticus induced cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells with no detectable cytotoxicity at the tested sub-MIC concentrations. Moreover, isoborneol has a strong capacity to destroy mature biofilms of V. alginolyticus on the surface of stainless-steel coupons and shrimp shells. The viable cell-counts, survival, metabolic activity and biofilm structural integrity were reduced without visibly damaging the surface of the shrimp shell. Altogether, these findings provide a framework for isoborneol to be considered as a potential natural antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against V. alginolyticus. However, additional safety, sensory, and industrial evaluations are essential before practical application.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Vibrio alginolyticus/drug effects
*Seafood/microbiology
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Humans
*Food Microbiology
Bacterial Adhesion/drug effects
Animals
Caco-2 Cells

@article {pmid42914268,
year = {2026},
author = {Yang, T and Zhang, X and Liao, G and Xia, G and Zhang, X and Li, D and Zhang, L and Wang, J},
title = {Synergistic antibacterial and anti-biofilm mechanism of cold stress combined with plasma-activated water against Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A multi-target transcriptomic analysis.},
journal = {Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)},
volume = {245},
number = {Pt 3},
pages = {120839},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodres.2026.120839},
pmid = {42914268},
issn = {1873-7145},
mesh = {*Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/genetics/physiology/metabolism ; *Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Plasma Gases/pharmacology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Quorum Sensing/drug effects ; *Water/pharmacology ; *Cold-Shock Response ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Transcriptome ; },
abstract = {The increasing resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) to conventional sanitizers demands novel multi-target intervention strategies. This study investigated the sequential synergistic antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of cold stress (CS) and plasma-activated water (PAW) against P. aeruginosa. PAW generated at 750 W for 2 min exhibited acidic pH, high oxidation-reduction potential, and substantial levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Sequential CS-PAW treatment achieved a bacterial reduction rate of 88.20 ± 4.41% and reduced biofilm formation (P < 0.05), significantly outperforming CS or PAW alone. Mechanistically, CS pretreatment sensitized bacterial cells by compromising membrane integrity and depleting energy reserves, thereby enhancing their vulnerability to subsequent PAW attack. The combined treatment triggered excessive intracellular ROS accumulation, suppressed superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, and induced severe lipid peroxidation. Key energy metabolism enzymes were inhibited, while alkaline phosphatase leakage confirmed cell wall damage. Furthermore, CS-PAW effectively interfered with quorum sensing (QS) by reducing C4-HSL signaling, downregulating QS-related genes (rhlI, rhlR, lasI, lasR), and suppressing the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and virulence factors. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 839 differentially expressed genes, with significant downregulation of pathways controlling QS, biofilm formation, bacterial chemotaxis, the type VI secretion system, and carbon metabolism. Notably, because the CS-PAW intervention targets highly conserved processes, including membrane integrity, central carbon metabolism, and QS signaling, the observed multi-target inhibition provides a robust mechanistic basis for its broad applicability against P. aeruginosa isolates; however, strict mathematical synergy was not quantified, and the current conclusions are explicitly limited to demonstrating statistically superior efficacy over single treatments. Collectively, these findings suggest that CS-PAW acts through a complementary multi-target mechanism rather than requiring strict mathematical synergy, representing a promising non-thermal strategy for controlling P. aeruginosa contamination in food processing environments.},
}

*Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/genetics/physiology/metabolism
*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Plasma Gases/pharmacology
Gene Expression Profiling
Quorum Sensing/drug effects
*Water/pharmacology
*Cold-Shock Response
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Transcriptome

@article {pmid42915181,
year = {2026},
author = {Černoša, A and Amigo, JM and Matroodi, F and Sandak, A},
title = {Spectroscopic Insights into Nutrient-Controlled Biofilm Formation in Aureobasidium pullulans as a Basis for Engineered Living Materials.},
journal = {Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids},
volume = {42},
number = {36},
pages = {26144-26157},
doi = {10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c01932},
pmid = {42915181},
issn = {1520-5827},
support = {101185862//Horizon 2020 Framework Programme/ ; IR0000028//NextGenerationEU/ ; 101044468/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; N2-0445//The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; *Aureobasidium/physiology/chemistry ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; },
abstract = {Fungal biofilms represent complex extracellular systems with potential application in engineered living materials (ELMs), yet their chemical composition and structural variability under defined environmental conditions remain poorly understood. Biofilms of Aureobasidium pullulans strains grown on different solid media were investigated using a multimodal spectroscopic approach, including FT-IR, FT-NIR, and Raman spectroscopy. Nutrient-rich media (PDA, SDA, YNB) produced biofilms with largely conserved chemical profiles across strains, whereas nutrient-poor SNA medium induced pronounced changes in polysaccharide, protein, and lipid components, as well as in matrix organization and hydration. Principal component analysis and multiblock data fusion revealed that growth medium is the primary driver of spectral variation, with strain identity exerting a secondary influence. Vibrational bands corresponding to hydroxyl (-OH) and aliphatic (-CH) groups were identified as key contributors to differentiation, reflecting changes in the composition of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS). Raman spectroscopy provided complementary molecular information, such as the presence of characteristic protein and polysaccharide vibrations, which helped confirm the biochemical composition of the biofilms and supported the observations from IR and NIR analyses. Results show that the control of nutrient composition and growth conditions enables precise tuning of biofilm properties, including hydration, matrix density, and functional polysaccharide content. Biofilm composition is primarily influenced by nutrient composition rather than by the strain's morphological features. This is important because it indicates that research on living coating formulation can focus on supplying nutrients that promote EPS production and biofilm development, rather than on selecting strains with particular morphologies. These findings provide a foundation for understanding the environmental control of A. pullulans biofilm formation and are relevant to the future development of engineered living coatings, where environmental conditions can be leveraged to influence biofilm composition, structure, and its functional properties.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
*Aureobasidium/physiology/chemistry
Spectrum Analysis, Raman
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

@article {pmid42915214,
year = {2026},
author = {Hu, L and Yang, H and Fan, L and Zheng, Z and Luan, L and Wang, XJ and Zhang, Q and Li, QY},
title = {Visible-Light-Harvesting Supramolecular Nanoassembly of Tetrathienylethene Tetrapyridinium/Cucurbit[7]uril for Bacterial Biofilm Eradication.},
journal = {Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids},
volume = {42},
number = {36},
pages = {26568-26582},
doi = {10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c03498},
pmid = {42915214},
issn = {1520-5827},
support = {22001100//National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; NA//Cultivation Fund for Excellent Dissertation (Practical Achievement) in Zhejiang Sci-Tech University/ ; ZZKY2024032//General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Independent Research Project/ ; },
mesh = {Cucurbit(n)urils ; *Imidazoles/chemistry/pharmacology ; *Biofilms/drug effects ; Macrocyclic Compounds ; *Light ; *Bridged-Ring Compounds/chemistry/pharmacology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/physiology ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/chemical synthesis ; *Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/chemical synthesis ; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology ; },
abstract = {Bacterial biofilms act as a protective "umbrella" that significantly impairs antibiotic penetration, thereby hindering the complete eradication of infections. The clinical translation of organic photosensitizers for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is critically hindered by their intrinsic self-aggregation in aqueous media, which severely compromises reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and impedes penetration into dense bacterial biofilms. Herein, we report a visible-light-harvesting photosensitizer, tetrathienylethene tetrapyridinium chloride (TTC), and construct a supramolecular nanoassembly (TTC@CB[7]) with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) via host-guest complexation. The CB[7] cavity selectively encapsulates the pyridinium moieties, imposing spatial confinement that disrupts detrimental π-π stacking and transforms micron-sized aggregates into uniform nanoscale colloids. This results in a reduction in hydrodynamic diameter from 1230 to 120 nm, a favorable shift in zeta potential from +0.67 mV to +30.9 mV, and a 1.3-fold increase in singlet oxygen quantum yield compared to free TTC. Consequently, under visible light, TTC@CB[7] exhibits a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 μg/mL against both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. More importantly, its nanoscale size and enhanced positive charge facilitate deep penetration into the biofilm matrix, enabling complete eradication of mature biofilms with negligible dark cytotoxicity. This work presents a versatile supramolecular strategy that concurrently resolves aggregation and penetration barriers, paving the way for high-performance aPDT.},
}

Cucurbit(n)urils
*Imidazoles/chemistry/pharmacology
*Biofilms/drug effects
Macrocyclic Compounds
*Light
*Bridged-Ring Compounds/chemistry/pharmacology
Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects/physiology
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/chemical synthesis
*Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/chemical synthesis
Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects/physiology

@article {pmid42915774,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, Z and Luo, X and Tao, N and Zhu, S and Wang, S and Liu, J and Chen, M and Zhou, J and Li, X},
title = {Xinjunan Binds to Pseudomonas syringae Pv. Actinidiae FleQ to Inhibit Flagella and Biofilm Formation and Reduce Pathogenicity.},
journal = {Journal of agricultural and food chemistry},
volume = {74},
number = {39},
pages = {30549-30560},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jafc.6c07386},
pmid = {42915774},
issn = {1520-5118},
support = {32172461//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32572898//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2022YFD1400200//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; (2024)007//Guizhou Province Science and Technology Plan Project, Major Science and Technology Achievement Transformation Project QKH/ ; },
mesh = {*Pseudomonas syringae/drug effects/genetics/pathogenicity/physiology/metabolism ; *Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Flagella/drug effects/metabolism/genetics ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; Actinidia/microbiology ; *Plant Diseases/microbiology ; Virulence/drug effects ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/metabolism ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Protein Binding ; },
abstract = {Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) is a devastating kiwifruit pathogen causing severe economic losses. In this study, Xinjunan (dioctyldiethylenetriamine) exerts potent antibacterial activity against Psa (EC50 = 4.29 mg/L), outperforming thiodiazole-copper (34.8 mg/L). Transcriptomic analysis showed that Xinjunan affected pathways associated with flagellar assembly, biofilm formation, membrane biogenesis, and chemotaxis. Xinjunan treatment also induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, leading to bacterial death. Deletion of FleQ enhances Psa resistance to Xinjunan, reduces virulence, and inhibits flagellar formation. Under Xinjunan treatment, the mutant strain showed better growth than the wild-type strain, with no significant differences in motility capacity or ROS levels; the complemented strain restored sensitivity to Xinjunan. Microscale thermophoresis and isothermal titration calorimetry determined dissociation constants of Xinjunan binding to the FleQ protein as 1.64 and 6.41 μM, respectively. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations identified FleQ Glu264 as a critical binding residue. These findings provide promising targets for the management of bacterial phytopathogen Psa.},
}

*Pseudomonas syringae/drug effects/genetics/pathogenicity/physiology/metabolism
*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Flagella/drug effects/metabolism/genetics
*Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry
Actinidia/microbiology
*Plant Diseases/microbiology
Virulence/drug effects
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology/chemistry/metabolism
Molecular Docking Simulation
Protein Binding

@article {pmid42916069,
year = {2026},
author = {Yurtsever, FM and Arya, S and Maráková, E and Velluvakandy, R and Odehnalová, E and Hejč, J and Heger, Z and Pumera, M},
title = {Image-Guided Magnetic Microrobots for Microplastic Capture and Biofilm Removal in the Female Reproductive System.},
journal = {ACS nano},
volume = {20},
number = {37},
pages = {25264-25274},
doi = {10.1021/acsnano.6c02432},
pmid = {42916069},
issn = {1936-086X},
support = {CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/000458//European Regional Development Fund/ ; 90254//Ministerstvo ?kolstv?, Ml?de?e a Telov?chovy/ ; CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004587//European Social Fund/ ; EXPRO: 25-15484X//Grantov? Agentura Cesk? Republiky/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/drug effects ; Female ; *Microplastics/isolation & purification/chemistry ; Humans ; *Robotics/instrumentation ; },
abstract = {The health of the female reproductive system is increasingly threatened by emerging environmental contaminants that cause potential bacterial infections, cancer, and fertility problems. Yet effective strategies for the localized removal of these contaminants remain largely unexplored. Among these contaminants, microplastics have emerged as a major global health concern, with growing evidence of their accumulation in human tissues and associated with infectious diseases, carcinogenesis, cellular aging, and infertility due to direct or indirect contact with synthetic fabrics, plastic kitchenware, and disposable feminine hygiene products. Despite these risks, the removal of retained microplastics, particularly from sensitive reproductive environments, remains a significant challenge in biomedical research. Here, we report an image-guided magnetic soft microrobot platform designed for targeted microplastic capture and biofilm eradication within the female reproductive system. Magnetic soft microrobots were fabricated using a droplet solidification method and functionalized with a polydopamine coating via self-polymerization to enhance the surface adhesion and capture efficiency. Real-time visualization and precise navigation were enabled under X-ray fluoroscopy through the incorporation of tantalum-based contrast agents. Functionally, the magnetic soft microrobots inhibited up to 67% of biofilm growth and achieved microplastic capture efficiencies of up to 80% in phosphate-buffered saline and 50% in simulated vaginal fluid, demonstrating a robust performance under biologically relevant conditions. This study demonstrates the integration and application of image-guided microrobots for the removal of microplastics and biofilms in the female reproductive system, offering a promising strategy for minimally invasive interventions to protect reproductive health from environmental pollutants.},
}

*Biofilms/drug effects
Female
*Microplastics/isolation & purification/chemistry
Humans
*Robotics/instrumentation

@article {pmid42918201,
year = {2026},
author = {Biswas, S and Chakraborty, M and DasGupta, S},
title = {pH Dependent Dynamics of an Extended Biofilm: An In Situ Interferometry and Molecular Dynamics Approach.},
journal = {Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids},
volume = {42},
number = {40},
pages = {29847-29857},
doi = {10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c03638},
pmid = {42918201},
issn = {1520-5827},
support = {NA//Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur/ ; },
abstract = {The fundamental physics-guided behavior of the extended region of a protein-based biofilm is ubiquitous in nature. The presence of high molecular weight proteins in such films alter the transport processes in a non-trivial way. Herein, an in situ interferometry-based microscopic approach is utilized to probe this in terms of the shape dependent interfacial phenomena in the extended thin film region of a gelatin-based biofilm. Interestingly, the pH, has been identified as an important parameter and has been varied to understand its effect on the extended film. A molecular dynamics simulation of a closely related protein at different pH has been performed as a model system to connect the experimental findings. One of the notable observations, is that, with increasing pH, the thicknesses of such films tend to decrease. It has been established, both in the experiments and MD simulation, that at high pH, the protein molecules remain well dispersed in the medium, whereas, in highly acidic conditions, the molecules tend to undergo agglomeration, increasing the thickness of the thin film. It is postulated that the findings of this study have potential applications in industrial biotechnology and food processing.},
}

@article {pmid42898984,
year = {2025},
author = {Andrabi, SM and Shahriar, SS and Tian, Y and Hayati, F and Su, Y and Zhang, F and Sharma, NS and Wang, G and Wong, SL and Yan, Z and Huang, G and Xie, J},
title = {Engineered Peptides-based Hybrid-nested Microneedle Effectively Treat Biofilm-infected Diabetic Wounds.},
journal = {Advanced functional materials},
volume = {35},
number = {32},
pages = {},
pmid = {42898984},
issn = {1616-301X},
support = {R01 GM138552/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Diabetic wounds with biofilm present a significant challenge in wound care, often leading to chronic inflammation, recurrent infections, impaired healing, and in severe cases, amputations. Addressing this critical challenge requires a multifaceted treatment strategy. Herein, we report a hybrid-nested microneedle scaffold (MQW-CMg-MOF) designed for efficient biofilm removal and accelerated healing of diabetic wounds. This scaffold integrates as a multifaceted system: the bottom layer features a nested microneedle patch embedded with vancomycin, the antimicrobial peptide W379, and the angiogenic QK peptide, while the top layer consists of chitosan cryogels incorporated with magnesium metal-organic frameworks. The nested microneedle patches are engineered to penetrate and mechanically disrupt biofilms and enable a programmed release of embedded agents, effectively addressing infection and promoting angiogenesis. Simultaneously, the cryogels serve as a substrate for scavenging reactive oxygen species and supporting cell ingrowth. The microneedle patches show substantial biofilm removal in vitro and in a preclinical diabetic swine biofilm-infected wound model compared to the control. Most importantly, the combined hybrid-nested microneedle arrays and cryogels effectively combat biofilm infection and promote wound healing in type 2 diabetic (db/db) mice. Overall, this multifunctional hybrid system shows promise in facilitating biofilm removal and enhancing the healing of diabetic wounds.},
}

@article {pmid42901666,
year = {2027},
author = {Karamani, EA and Anagnostopoulos, DA and Vafeiadis, G and Giaouris, E and Kakagianni, MN and Boziaris, IS and Parlapani, FF},
title = {Combined phenotypic characterization of dominant Enterococcus strains isolated from aquaculture facilities and fish in Greece: growth kinetics, minimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics, and biofilm behavior.},
journal = {Food microbiology},
volume = {142},
number = {},
pages = {105313},
doi = {10.1016/j.fm.2026.105313},
pmid = {42901666},
issn = {1095-9998},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development/drug effects ; Animals ; Aquaculture ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Kinetics ; *Fishes/microbiology ; Greece ; *Enterococcus/drug effects/isolation & purification/growth & development/physiology/genetics ; *Enterococcus faecium/drug effects/growth & development/isolation & purification/physiology/genetics ; Temperature ; Phenotype ; *Enterococcus faecalis/drug effects/growth & development/isolation & purification/physiology/genetics ; },
abstract = {Aquaculture is a key contributor to global food security, yet the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria within production systems poses a growing threat to food safety and environmental health. Enterococcus spp., commonly present in aquatic environments, are known for their resilience, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm-forming ability. Ιn this exploratory study, we conducted a combined phenotypic characterization of five dominant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates from aquaculture facilities and farmed fish in Greece to evaluate their planktonic growth kinetics, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antibiotics under modified experimental conditions, and biofilm-forming capacity under temperature conditions representative of aquaculture environments. Planktonic growth dynamics were modeled through the Baranyi and Roberts and Ratkowsky equations, while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of vancomycin, tetracycline, and streptomycin were determined using the broth microdilution method at 12 °C and 30 °C. Biofilm formation was tested on polystyrene microtiter plates at these two temperatures using the classical crystal violet staining method in two growth media: a well-established nutrient-rich laboratory medium, and a medium designed to mimic the natural seawater-associated environment. Growth modeling revealed that maximum specific growth rate (μmax) increased with temperature, whereas lag phase duration decreased. Estimated theoretical minimum growth temperatures (Tmin) ranged from 1.0 °C to 4.1 °C, indicating strain-specific cold adaptation. E. faecium strain 22 exhibited the broadest thermal adaptability and strongest biofilm capacity. Temperature-dependent differences in apparent antimicrobial inhibition were observed. All strains formed detectable biofilm biomass in the nutrient-rich brain heart infusion (BHI) broth, whereas fish feed infusion (FFI) broth did not yield detectable biofilm biomass for all strains except one under the conditions tested. In BHI, crystal violet measurements indicated higher biofilm biomass at the lower temperature. Overall, this work highlights temperature- and strain-dependent behavior in the five studied Enterococcus isolates under aquaculture-relevant conditions and illustrates how combining growth kinetics, antimicrobial inhibition and biofilm formation can inform exploratory hypotheses for risk assessment and hygiene strategies.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development/drug effects
Animals
Aquaculture
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Kinetics
*Fishes/microbiology
Greece
*Enterococcus/drug effects/isolation & purification/growth & development/physiology/genetics
*Enterococcus faecium/drug effects/growth & development/isolation & purification/physiology/genetics
Temperature
Phenotype
*Enterococcus faecalis/drug effects/growth & development/isolation & purification/physiology/genetics

@article {pmid42901676,
year = {2027},
author = {Zhao, C and Sun, D and Li, S and Lu, X and Liu, X and Mu, Y and Luo, L},
title = {Multi-omics and functional validation profiling reveals the regulatory mechanism of biofilm-forming Tetragenococcus halophilus JY1 in response to salt tolerance.},
journal = {Food microbiology},
volume = {142},
number = {},
pages = {105323},
doi = {10.1016/j.fm.2026.105323},
pmid = {42901676},
issn = {1095-9998},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; *Enterococcaceae/genetics/physiology/metabolism ; *Salt Tolerance ; Multiomics ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; Fatty Acids/metabolism ; Sodium Chloride/metabolism ; Metabolomics ; },
abstract = {Biofilms are crucial for enhancing microbial productivity in industrial applications, yet the mechanisms underlying their stress resistance and formation in functional microorganisms remain inadequately explored. Tetragenococcus halophilus, a halophilic lactic acid bacterium, is widely utilized in traditional fermentation industries; however, research has focused on its planktonic state. To address this gap, this study investigated the molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation in T. halophilus JY1 under low-salt (0.2 M, LS) and high-salt (3 M, HS) stress conditions. Physiological analyses revealed that biofilms protected cellular integrity under LS and HS, as evidenced by marked elevations in ATPase activity and ATP concentration. Furthermore, salt stress altered the abundance and composition of JY1 biofilms. RNA-seq analysis identified upregulation of genes associated with cell surface composition, energy homeostasis, and ion transport. Metabolomic profiling further revealed elevated levels of glycerophospholipids and fatty acids in JY1 under LS and HS. Functional validation further demonstrated that overexpression of ohrR, yodB, isaA, icaA, ruvA, and ctsR significantly promoted biofilm formation in recombinant strains. In addition, exogenous monounsaturated fatty acids (C16:1, C14:1, and C20:1) markedly improved cell survival and biofilm formation under salt stress by modulating membrane lipid composition and enhancing osmotic adaptation. Overall, restructuring of biofilms emerged as a key adaptive strategy for JY1 in response to salinity, while prolonged salt exposure reduced physiological and metabolic activity. This study provides critical insights into the adaptive strategies of biofilm-forming microorganisms and opens new avenues for the application of biofilms in industrial processes.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
*Enterococcaceae/genetics/physiology/metabolism
*Salt Tolerance
Multiomics
Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Fatty Acids/metabolism
Sodium Chloride/metabolism
Metabolomics

@article {pmid42902604,
year = {2026},
author = {Khanem, A and Younas, F and Ullah, I and Islam-Ud-Din, },
title = {Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil inhibits biofilm formation and disrupts pre-formed biofilms in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: an in vitro study.},
journal = {Future microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-12},
doi = {10.1080/17460913.2026.2751608},
pmid = {42902604},
issn = {1746-0921},
abstract = {AIM: P. aeruginosa biofilms enable persistent colonization. This study evaluated Eucalyptus camaldulensis essential oil (EUEO) against twenty four clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.

METHODOLOGY: EUEO was obtained by hydro-distillation and characterized by FT-IR and GC-MS. Antibacterial activity was assessed by agar well diffusion, MIC and MBC. Biofilm inhibition (oil added at the start of incubation) and disruption (oil added to 18-h pre-formed biofilms) were quantified. Membrane damage was inferred from the leakage of cytoplasmic content after 4, 8, and 12 h of exposure at 1×MIC.

RESULTS: EUEO was rich in Eucalyptol, comprising 90%. 79.16% isolates formed strong biofilms with OD >0.240, 12.5% showed no biofilm formation (OD <0.120) and 8.3% had moderate biofilms (OD 0.120-0.240). MICs ranged from 3.125 to 25 µg/mL and MBCs from 25 to 50 µg/mL. At 1×MIC, EUEO reduced biofilm formation by 40-85.71% and reduced the biomass of pre-formed biofilms by 46-90%. Time-dependent increase in release of cytoplasmic content, post EUEO exposure was consistent with loss of membrane integrity.

CONCLUSION: These in vitro findings suggest that EUEO may be a candidate natural agent against P. aeruginosa biofilms, although viability-based and in vivo studies are needed to confirm this.},
}

@article {pmid42903591,
year = {2025},
author = {Yao, S and Huang, J and Geng, J and Wei, D and Wang, C and Song, Y and Zhang, G and Feng, J},
title = {RmpA drives metabolic reprogramming to modulate the phenotypic switch between hypermucoviscosity and biofilm formation in hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae.},
journal = {hLife},
volume = {3},
number = {10},
pages = {504-516},
pmid = {42903591},
issn = {2949-9283},
abstract = {Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is a major cause of severe community-acquired infection. A key plasmid-encoded factor, regulator of mucoid phenotype A (RmpA), activates capsule locus gene expression to promote hypermucoviscosity, a phenotype that is strongly linked to increased pathogenicity. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms that control RmpA in hvKp remain poorly understood. In this study, we constructed a rmpA knockdown strain in hvKp using CRISPR interference and assessed the global regulatory role of RmpA through complementary multi-omic sequencing (RNA sequencing [RNA-seq] and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing [ChIP-seq]), promoter-gfp reporter assays, and phenotypic experiments. The functional role of RmpA was evaluated in Escherichia coli via heterologous expression. The RNA-seq analysis revealed that RmpA activates carbohydrate metabolism pathways, but represses pathways related to DNA replication, ribosome metabolism, and biofilm formation. The ChIP-seq analysis further confirmed the potential role of RmpA as a global regulator that enhances capsule production by activating transcripts within the capsule locus. It also upregulates genes involved in sugar metabolism and transport, which supplies essential precursors for capsule synthesis. RmpA modulates the phenotypic switch between hypermucoviscosity and biofilm formation by repressing type III fimbriae genes. Notably, RmpA overexpression in E. coli induced changes in multiple metabolic pathways. These findings position RmpA as a latent central regulator in hvKp that orchestrates the metabolic pathways and phenotypic traits essential for virulence.},
}

@article {pmid42904367,
year = {2026},
author = {Xiao, X and Yan, M and Yang, L and Li, Q and He, L and Yuan, Z and Guo, Y and Zhong, X and Ding, X},
title = {Hybrid membrane vesicle-enabled sonodynamic therapy using ciprofloxacin for treating biofilm-associated infections.},
journal = {Journal of materials chemistry. B},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1039/d6tb01238h},
pmid = {42904367},
issn = {2050-7518},
abstract = {Biofilm-associated infections on indwelling medical devices pose significant clinical challenges due to antibiotic resistance and poor drug penetration. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising strategy utilizing ultrasound to activate sonosensitizers for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the lack of safe and effective sonosensitizers and bacterial-targeting delivery systems limits its application in treating biofilm infection. To address these limitations, we developed antibiotic ciprofloxacin-loaded hybrid membrane vesicles (CIP@HMVs), where ciprofloxacin acts as a safe sonosensitizer and HMVs serve as a detoxified bacterial-targeted delivery system. HMVs were engineered by fusing Pseudomonas aeruginosa-derived outer membrane vesicles (PAEVs) with macrophage membrane vesicles (MMVs), creating a dual-functional nanoplatform with homotypic bacteria-targeting and detoxification capabilities. CIP@HMVs exploited ciprofloxacin's sonosensitizer properties to generate singlet oxygen ([1]O2) under ultrasound, while HMVs enhanced bacterial uptake in P. aeruginosa. This enabled synergistic bactericidal effects against planktonic bacteria via membrane disruption and intracellular ROS burst, achieving a 5.7-log bacterial reduction in catheter biofilms in vitro. Crucially, HMVs neutralized PAEVs' LPS toxicity in vitro and demonstrated negligible systemic toxicity in vivo. In a murine catheter-infection model, CIP@HMVs under ultrasound achieved 99.8% bacterial eradication and reduced inflammation. This bacterial-targeting sonodynamic platform provides a transformative strategy for treating device-associated biofilm infections with high efficacy and biosafety.},
}

@article {pmid42904866,
year = {2026},
author = {Costa, IV and Zolotareva, M and Cavalheiro, M and Mil-Homens, D and Miranda, IM and Sasamoto, K and Fialho, A and Rodrigues, AG and Chibana, H and Teixeira, MC},
title = {Genomic Landscape Underlying Biofilm Formation Diversity in Nakaseomyces glabratus Clinical Isolates.},
journal = {MicrobiologyOpen},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {e70444},
doi = {10.1002/mbo3.70444},
pmid = {42904866},
issn = {2045-8827},
support = {UID/04565/2025//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; OSCARS 101129751//European Commission/ ; },
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; Animals ; Humans ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; *Mycoses/microbiology ; Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology ; *Genetic Variation ; },
abstract = {Biofilm formation is a key determinant of persistence and pathogenicity in fungal infections, yet the genetic basis underlying its variability among clinical isolates remains poorly understood. In this study, a collection of 95 N. glabratus clinical isolates was analyzed in terms of biofilm formation capacity, revealing large phenotypic diversity. Interestingly, urinary tract associated isolates were found to produce, on average, twice as much biofilm as the remaining isolates. A more in-depth analysis was carried out focusing on a selection of three of the lowest biofilm producing and four of the highest biofilm producing isolates. Higher total biofilm mass was found to consistently correlate with higher metabolic activity and carbohydrate extracellular matrix content, while no correlation with virulence against the Galleria mellonella infection model could be detected. Whole-genome sequencing of these high and low biofilm producing strains led to a list of 184 genes whose mutation may underlie biofilm formation variability. Deletion of 24 of these genes, identified BST1, EST3, LSM7, AMS1 and ZCF21 as previously uncharacterized contributors to biofilm formation, whose disruption results in a measurable reduction in biofilm biomass. Altogether, the obtained knowledge suggests within-host positive selection in the urinary tract, for N. glabratus specialization towards biofilm growth. The identification of new effectors of biofilm formation is consistent with the existence of a multi-layered network that connects transcriptional regulation and cell surface architecture in biofilm development.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
Animals
Humans
Whole Genome Sequencing
*Mycoses/microbiology
Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology
*Genetic Variation

@article {pmid42904912,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, C and Wang, X and Wu, J and Wang, T and Fu, Z and Huang, R},
title = {Enhancing multistage anammox biofilm system by ultrasonic irradiation: performance and microbial community characteristics.},
journal = {Environmental technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-16},
doi = {10.1080/09593330.2026.2749486},
pmid = {42904912},
issn = {1479-487X},
abstract = {The multistage anammox biofilm system constructed on anaerobic baffled biofilm reactor was enhanced by ultrasound irradiation. The optimal ranges of ultrasonic working parameters for enhancing the specific anammox activity (SAA) were explored. When the ultrasonic frequency, power and irradiation duration were in the range of 35∼55 kHz, 60∼100 W and 1.0∼3.5 min, SAA increased by 35.57%∼43.96%. Then, the long-term effect of ultrasound on the multistage anammox biofilm system was further studied. The optimal ultrasonic parameters with 40 kHz, 90 W and 3 min per week were adopted and the remarkable enhancing effect was attained. Furthermore, the ultrasonic enhancing mechanism was uncovered. The EPS analysis indicated that the introduction of ultrasound increased EPS and its PN/PS to promote the formation and renewal of anammox biofilms. The bacterial community analysis revealed that Candidatus Kuenenia emerged as the predominant bacteria in the mature biofilms of the control group while Candidatus Brocadia predominated in the mature biofilms of the ultrasonic group. The microbial community succession was redirected under the function of ultrasonic irradiation, which was helpful to improve the anammox performance. Moreover, the ultrasonic irradiation increased the abundance and biodiversity of AnAOB. This study offers the significant theoretical basis for construction of the ultrasound-strengthened multistage anammox system.},
}

@article {pmid42905816,
year = {2026},
author = {Antypas, H and Gonçalves da Silva, RA and Wong, GKX and Liang, C and Muthualagu Natarajan, L and Tan, RJW and Neo, CJY and Wong, SL and Kline, KA},
title = {Enterococcus faecalis biofilm rewires neutrophil metabolism to suppress antimicrobial activity.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {12},
number = {43},
pages = {eaej4153},
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aej4153},
pmid = {42905816},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {*Biofilms/growth & development ; *Enterococcus faecalis/physiology/immunology ; *Neutrophils/metabolism/immunology/microbiology ; Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Extracellular Traps/metabolism/immunology ; Lactic Acid/metabolism ; *Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/microbiology/immunology/metabolism ; Glycolysis ; },
abstract = {Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen that persists in biofilm-associated infections despite robust neutrophil recruitment. How E. faecalis evades neutrophils remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated how E. faecalis biofilms alter effector functions in human neutrophils and a murine wound infection model. We found that E. faecalis biofilm suppresses neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, bacterial engulfment, and neutrophil-mediated control of biofilm growth. This suppression is partly driven by production of lactic acid through the lactate dehydrogenases (LDHs) of E. faecalis, which acidifies the extracellular environment, lowers neutrophil intracellular pH, and disrupts glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. In a murine wound infection model, loss of LDH increased neutrophil recruitment and NETosis. We also found that high bacterial density, a defining feature of biofilms, suppresses NETosis through a lactic acid-independent mechanism. Collectively, these findings identify biofilm immune evasion strategies mediated by bacterial metabolism and the high-density structural organization of biofilm-associated bacteria.},
}

*Biofilms/growth & development
*Enterococcus faecalis/physiology/immunology
*Neutrophils/metabolism/immunology/microbiology
Humans
Animals
Mice
Extracellular Traps/metabolism/immunology
Lactic Acid/metabolism
*Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/microbiology/immunology/metabolism
Glycolysis

@article {pmid42906245,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, C and Li, K and Liu, S and Wang, J and Wang, D and You, J},
title = {Salinity-dependent effects of erythromycin on biofilm development and conjugative plasmid transfer on poly(vinyl chloride) microplastics.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {223},
number = {},
pages = {108490},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108490},
pmid = {42906245},
issn = {1879-0291},
abstract = {Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics frequently co-occur in aquatic environments and jointly influence the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the modulatory role of salinity, a highly dynamic factor in estuarine and coastal regions, remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of erythromycin (ERY) on biofilm development and RP4 plasmid conjugative transfer on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) MPs across varying salinity levels (5‰, 10‰, and 15‰). Results demonstrated that MP hydrophobicity increased with salinity, while the ERY adsorption capacity followed the order: 5‰ > 15‰ > 10‰. A higher salinity (15‰) promoted biofilm biomass and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) secretion on MPs. Notably, conjugative transfer frequencies within MP-associated biofilms were consistently higher than those in planktonic cultures. Under varying salinities, the conjugation frequencies in biofilms displayed a U-shaped trend, with higher rates observed at 5‰ and 15‰ compared to 10‰. Crucially, the impact of ERY on plasmid transfer was highly salinity-dependent, i.e., the addition of ERY promoted conjugation at 5‰ and 10‰ but significantly inhibited it at 15‰. Physiological assessments revealed that exposure to varying salinities and ERY induced non-lethal oxidative stress, evidenced by elevated reactive oxygen species and upregulated antioxidant enzymes (CAT and SOD), while lipid peroxidation (MDA) remained relatively low. Concurrently, intracellular proline accumulation and cell membrane permeability increased significantly with rising salinity. These findings provide direct experimental evidence that salinity fluctuations and antibiotic residues jointly alter bacterial physiological states and antibiotic resistance dissemination on MPs, which highlights the necessity of considering dynamic environmental variables in ecological risk assessments.},
}

@article {pmid42898821,
year = {2026},
author = {Azhar, MA and Mir, TA and Ahmed, S and Assiri, AM and Broering, DC},
title = {Biofilm-associated genes in Staphylococcus aureus: role in chronic infections and therapeutic challenges.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1915213},
pmid = {42898821},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {One of the major contributors to persistent healthcare and community-associated infections is S. aureus, which has a remarkable ability to form biofilms that protect it against the host immune system and antimicrobial therapy. In recent years, it has become clear that biofilm development is a highly orchestrated and dynamic process, controlled by complex genetic networks, transcriptional regulators, two-component systems (TCSs), and environmental signals. The present review covers the molecular mechanisms involved in the initiation, maturation, maintenance, and dispersal of biofilms in general, and in particular, the coordinated functions of adhesins, the icaADBC operon, components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), global regulators (agr, sarA, and sigB), and two-component regulatory systems, as well as emerging insights from transcriptomic studies on biofilm adaptation. We then review the roles of these regulatory pathways in metabolic heterogeneity, antibiotic tolerance, immune evasion, and persistence in clinically relevant biofilm-associated infections, including infective endocarditis, osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infection, catheter-associated infection, and diabetic foot infection. The review further outlines the latest developments in antibiofilm therapeutics, including matrix-degrading enzymes, quorum-sensing inhibitors, antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophage-based therapeutics, lysins, nitric oxide donors, nanoparticle-assisted therapeutics, and CRISPR-Cas-based antimicrobials. Incorporating molecular regulation into infection-specific pathogenesis and emerging therapeutic strategies, this review offers a new perspective on the biology of S. aureus biofilms and highlights opportunities to develop mechanism-based interventions to combat chronic biofilm-associated infections.},
}

@article {pmid42890997,
year = {2026},
author = {Kadhum, AH and Owaif, HAA and Al-Saffar, AZ and Ahmed, ME and Al-Obaidi, JR},
title = {Green-synthesized Capsicum annuum-MgO nanoparticles modulate biofilm formation and virulence-gene expression in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus and reduce MCF-7 cell viability.},
journal = {3 Biotech},
volume = {16},
number = {11},
pages = {466},
pmid = {42890997},
issn = {2190-572X},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Fifteen Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolates were recovered from 20 blood specimens, of which eight met the definition of multidrug resistance. Five multidrug-resistant isolates formed strong biofilms, two formed moderate biofilms, and one formed a weak biofilm. Tentative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry library assignments indicated that phenolic compounds accounted for 83% of the Capsicum annuum extract (CAE) profile. The CAE-mediated MgO preparation consisted of spherical-to-irregular, partly agglomerated particles with a mean FE-SEM-derived particle or agglomerate size of 95.73 ± 21.47 nm, a mean AFM-derived lateral diameter of 110.6 nm, an X-ray diffraction crystallite size of approximately 34 nm, and a zeta potential of - 30.38 mV. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were 15.62 mg/mL for CAE and 31.25 µg/mL for CAE/MgONPs. Among the seven strong or moderate biofilm producers, the largest reductions in biofilm biomass were 61.2% with CAE and 68.8% with CAE/MgONPs; however, some isolate-treatment combinations increased biofilm biomass. Exploratory qRT-PCR in three isolates showed isolate-dependent regulation of fbp and luxS, with fold changes ranging from 0.43 to 18.15 relative to untreated controls. CAE and CAE/MgONPs reduced MCF-7 cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, with estimated IC50 values of 190.3 and 189.1 µg/mL, respectively. These findings support further investigation of CAE/MgONPs while showing that their antibiofilm and transcriptional effects are strain dependent.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-026-05094-2.},
}

@article {pmid42891006,
year = {2026},
author = {Varin-Simon, J and Guillaume, C and Dghoughi, Y and Siboni, R and Velard, F and Gangloff, SC and Colin, M and Reffuveille, F},
title = {Bone cells modulate Cutibacterium acnes colonization and biofilm formation on bone and titanium.},
journal = {Biofilm},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {100404},
pmid = {42891006},
issn = {2590-2075},
abstract = {Cutibacterium acnes causes around 10 % of prosthetic joint infections, predominantly in the shoulder. Its eradication is complex due to its low virulence and its ability to form biofilm. Although C. acnes behavior on prosthetic materials like titanium is described, its interactions with bone remain poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of bone on C. acnes adhesion and biofilm formation. Two clinical strains, C2 (non-PJI) and PJI2 (PJI-isolate), were incubated with fresh (cellularized) or frozen (cell-free) bone explants, fibronectin-coated titanium discs, and combinations thereof. Adhesion and biofilm formation were assessed by colony counts, microscopies, and RT-qPCR of biofilm-related genes. Results showed that C. acnes adhered and initiated biofilm formation to bone, with upregulation of stress- and biofilm-related genes (groEL, tuf, fbaA, eno, sucD) in C2. Osteoblasts promoted C. acnes adhesion to bone, as evidenced by the reduced bacterial attachment observed on cell-free bone. The presence of bone affected C. acnes behavior on titanium: osteoblast and their secretions enhanced bacterial adhesion to titanium with an effect depending on the bacterial strain as well as the osteoblast donor. The bone mineral matrix also influenced bacterial behavior, increasing the adhesion of the PJI2 strain to the implant. However, the composition of the biofilm matrix on titanium remained unchanged. In conclusion, the bone microenvironment promotes C. acnes adhesion and biofilm formation on both bone and titanium, especially through bone cells presence. This effect strongly depends on a strain-osteoblast donor combination, highlighting the necessity of new diagnostic approach for C. acnes prosthetic joint infections.},
}

@article {pmid42891975,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, Y and Li, Q and Lai, Q and Tian, X and Li, Y and Li, G and Yue, Q and Duan, F},
title = {Tissue-specific antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of Penthorum chinense Pursh: integration of metabolomics and Random Forest machine learning.},
journal = {Natural product research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-16},
doi = {10.1080/14786419.2026.2736641},
pmid = {42891975},
issn = {1478-6427},
abstract = {Penthorum chinense Pursh is a traditional medicinal and edible plant rich in flavonoids and complex polyphenols. Evaluating its aqueous extracts against foodborne pathogens via biomass assay, microplate spread tests and scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct tissue-specific efficacies: leaf and stem extracts exhibited strong bactericidal effects (16-128 mg/mL), notably against Bacillus cereus, whereas flower extracts demonstrated potent biofilm inhibition (IC50 < 1 mg/mL). Broad-coverage UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS metabolite profiling annotated 93 compounds, and integration with Random Forest nested cross-validation prioritised candidate constituents associated with the measured activities. While confirming established antimicrobials (gallic acid, pinocembrin, pinostrobin, (-)-epicatechin gallate, afzelechin, corilagin, and hydrolysable derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol, and liquiritin) as major active constituents, our ML model first revealed several unreported bioactive compounds. Specifically, turmeronol A, vanillic acid glucoside, lotaustralin, and 2',6'-dihydroxydihydrochalcone-4'-O-(3''-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside act as crucial bactericidal agents, while Gemin D, lamiophlomiol C, 4'-hydroxyflavanone, and pinocembrin-7-O-[4,6-HHDP]-glucoside primarily contribute to anti-biofilm efficacy. Finally, their multi-target mechanisms were preliminarily explored.},
}

@article {pmid42892397,
year = {2026},
author = {Lakhanapuram, HK and Ratchasong, K and Varma, A and Kumar, V and Arslan, M and Saengsawang, P and Mitsuwan, W},
title = {Biofilm-mediated pathogenesis in staphylococcal bovine mastitis: A mechanistic review of virulence, pharmacokinetic barriers, and advanced anti-biofilm therapeutic strategies.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {221},
number = {},
pages = {108880},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2026.108880},
pmid = {42892397},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {Bovine mastitis remains one of the most economically significant infectious diseases affecting dairy production worldwide, causing substantial losses through reduced milk yield, treatment costs, and premature culling. Among the causative agents, Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) are particularly problematic due to their capacity to establish chronic intramammary infections through biofilm formation, facilitating immune evasion and marked antimicrobial tolerance. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review integrates mechanistic and translational evidence on biofilm-mediated pathogenesis, pharmacokinetic barriers, and anti-biofilm interventions in staphylococcal bovine mastitis. A structured literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection was conducted for investigations published between January 2015 and February 2026. From 513 identified records, 26 primary empirical studies met all eligibility criteria and were synthesized. Mechanistically, staphylococcal biofilm development entails initial adhesion mediated by microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs), followed by extracellular matrix accumulation governed by the icaADBC operon responsible for polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA/PNAG) synthesis, alongside ica-independent pathways orchestrated by the biofilm-associated protein (Bap) and extracellular DNA (eDNA). These developmental stages and dispersal dynamics are coordinated by the agr quorum-sensing system and the global regulator sarA. Comparative genomic evidence indicates that NAS species, particularly Staphylococcus chromogenes and Staphylococcus haemolyticus, harbor specialized virulence and antimicrobial resistance determinants that drive subclinical persistence. Beyond bacterial determinants, antimicrobial efficacy is severely constrained by mammary pharmacokinetic barriers, including non-specific drug binding to milk proteins, sequestration in fat globules, and rapid clearance during milking cycles. Emerging therapeutic strategies notably phytochemical-loaded nanoemulsions, matrix-dispersing enzymes, and bacteriophage endolysins-demonstrate substantial capacity to dismantle established biofilms and restore antimicrobial susceptibility in preclinical models. Overcoming persistent staphylococcal mastitis will require translating dual-action formulations combining matrix-degrading agents with advanced delivery systems into validated intramammary therapeutics.},
}

@article {pmid42898334,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, J and Chu, F and Zhang, Q and Qi, X and Zhang, L and Zhang, X and Zhang, Y and Lv, Y and Li, W and Cai, N and Zhang, D and Zhu, Z},
title = {PF127 hydrogel-assisted in-situ Staphylococcus aureus biofilm fabrication endowing pathological animal model for chronic osteomyelitis.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1914727},
pmid = {42898334},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Chronic osteomyelitis driven by biofilms remains difficult to treat and thus the exploration of its clinical therapy and pathological mechanism largely depend on effective animal models. However, standardized and efficient methods for establishing stable and reproducible animal models for chronic osteomyelitis are still lacking. This study developed a Hydrogel Assisted In-situ Biofilm Fabrication (HAIBF) method by coupling thermosensitive Pluronic F-127 (PF127) hydrogel with biofilm fragments, which stably mimic the pathological process of biofilm-infected chronic osteomyelitis. Forty-eight rats were randomly allocated into four groups: a planktonic bacteria injection group, a direct biofilm injection group, a PF127-loaded biofilm injection group, and a blank control group. Rats were euthanized, and tibial samples were harvested once a week for the following month after infection. Macroscopic examination, SEM, CLSM, micro-CT with three-dimensional reconstruction and quantitative analysis, and H&E staining were combined to evaluate biofilm localization, bone destruction, and tissue pathology. PF127 facilitated the stable localization of biofilm within bone tissue. Collectively, these results validated the successful establishment of a chronic osteomyelitis model characterized by persistent biofilm infection, pathological bone remodeling, and impaired bone repair. HAIBF integrates low-metabolism biofilm fragments with an injectable, thermoresponsive PF127 hydrogel to establish an implant-free bone infection model that undergoes in situ gelation and promotes the local retention of biofilm-derived material. Within a relatively short infection progression period, this model reliably reproduces persistent biofilm-associated infection and selected pathological features of chronic osteomyelitis, thereby providing a more stable and consistent experimental platform for mechanistic studies and therapeutic evaluation.},
}

@article {pmid42898672,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, J and Zhou, Q and Cao, D and Yu, W and Zhang, Y and Chen, J and Zheng, X and Ye, F},
title = {Biofilm-host immunometabolic crosstalk in Staphylococcus aureus orthopedic implant infection: mechanisms and translational constraints.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1957346},
pmid = {42898672},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Humans ; *Biofilms/growth & development ; *Staphylococcal Infections/immunology/metabolism/microbiology ; Animals ; *Staphylococcus aureus/physiology/immunology ; *Prosthesis-Related Infections/immunology/microbiology/metabolism ; *Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology ; Neutrophils/immunology/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Orthopedic implant biofilms are not only antibiotic-tolerant bacterial communities but metabolically active niches that reshape host immunity. Compared with planktonic infection, mature biofilms impose spatial and metabolic constraints that can uncouple leukocyte recruitment from sterilizing activity. Neutrophils can penetrate and phagocytose portions of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms, but clearance becomes incomplete as biofilms mature and may coexist with degranulation and neutrophil extracellular trap-associated tissue injury. Macrophages show impaired access and bactericidal programming, and biofilm-derived lactate can promote interleukin-10 (IL-10) through histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11)/HDAC6-dependent epigenetic reprogramming in experimental systems. Human periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) tissues are enriched in granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs), whereas the glycolysis/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1alpha) phenotype and its contribution to persistence are supported primarily by murine PJI, with limited human transcriptomic corroboration. In chronic S. aureus infection models, MDSC-derived lactate can suppress CD4-positive (CD4+) T-cell glycolysis; conversely, immune pressure drives heterogeneous bacterial metabolic, stress-response, and virulence programs. We synthesize these interactions as bidirectional biofilm-host immunometabolic crosstalk linking persistent infection to bone-interface damage. Source control and antibiotics remain essential. Local, time-limited, dysfunction-directed host interventions are presented here as a hypothesis-generating translational framework rather than evidence-based clinical recommendations, because host-directed immunometabolic therapies for PJI remain preclinical.},
}

Humans
*Biofilms/growth & development
*Staphylococcal Infections/immunology/metabolism/microbiology
Animals
*Staphylococcus aureus/physiology/immunology
*Prosthesis-Related Infections/immunology/microbiology/metabolism
*Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology
Neutrophils/immunology/metabolism

@article {pmid42890510,
year = {2026},
author = {El-Demerdash, AS and Said, MA and Hazaa, MM and Amer, MM and Mahran, YF and Alahdal, H and Alhammadi, MM and Abdelhamid, AG},
title = {Disrupting Salmonella colonization and resistance: probiotic cell-free supernatants inhibit biofilm formation and invasion in meat and human isolates.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1889179},
pmid = {42890510},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {Humans ; *Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development ; *Probiotics/pharmacology ; *Meat/microbiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; *Salmonella enterica/drug effects/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology ; *Salmonella Infections/microbiology ; Caco-2 Cells ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Gastroenteritis/microbiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica remains a paramount global public health threat due to the rapid emergence of multi-drug and pan-drug resistant (PDR) strains transmitted through the food supply chain. This study adopted a One Health cross-sectional framework to investigate the occurrence and biocontrol of PDR Salmonella enterica serovars (S. Enteritidis, S. Kentucky, and S. Anatum) isolated from clinical gastroenteritis cases and retail meat products in Egypt.

METHODS: Clinical samples (n=20) from gastroenteritis patients were screened for PDR Salmonella and confirmed via invA gene PCR in addition to six PDR isolates previously from meat samples. Biocontrol efficacy was evaluated using cell-free spent media (CFSM; postbiotic preparations) derived from a consortium of probiotic strains. Chemical profiling of CFSM was executed via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentrations, and biofilm formation were quantified. Host cell invasion was assessed using a gentamicin protection assay in human Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells. Ultrastructural alterations were examined via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Transcriptomic mechanisms were elucidated via RT-qPCR targeting biofilm regulators (csgD, sdiA) and Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI-1) invasion genes (hilA, invF, prgH, and sipA).

RESULTS: CFSM from Lactobacillus helveticus EMCC 1654 and Lactobacillus plantarum CCUG 30503 demonstrated marked antibacterial and antibiofilm activity. At sub-inhibitory concentrations (10% v/v), CFSM significantly attenuated biofilm formation and reduced host-cell invasion efficiency in S. Kentucky to 0.08% relative to untreated controls. TEM micrographs confirmed severe cell envelope disintegration, membrane detachment, and cytoplasmic leakage in CFSM-treated cells. RT-qPCR analysis revealed significant downregulation of the master biofilm regulator csgD (fold-change: 0.002) and the quorum-sensing receptor sdiA (fold-change: 0.02). Furthermore, key SPI-1 invasion genes were markedly repressed, including hilA (0.188), invF (0.001), prgH, and sipA (0.037). Quantitative HPLC profiling of L. plantarum CCUG 30503 CFSM- the lead candidate for downstream mechanistic analysis- identified a multi-organic acid cocktail dominated by lactic (1.89 mg/mL), succinic (1.53 mg/mL), and acetic (1.11 mg/mL) acids.

CONCLUSION: Lactobacillus-derived postbiotics (CFSM) function as effective antivirulence agents that disrupt both the transcriptional networks governing biofilm synthesis and SPI-1-mediated host invasion, while physically compromising bacterial cell wall integrity. These findings highlight probiotic CFSM as a sustainable, non-antibiotic strategy to mitigate PDR Salmonella persistence across the food-to-clinical continuum.},
}

Humans
*Biofilms/drug effects/growth & development
*Probiotics/pharmacology
*Meat/microbiology
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
*Salmonella enterica/drug effects/isolation & purification/genetics/physiology
*Salmonella Infections/microbiology
Caco-2 Cells
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Bacterial Proteins/genetics
Gastroenteritis/microbiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial

@article {pmid42890996,
year = {2026},
author = {Han, S and Li, Q and Shi, T and Zhou, W and Jin, G and Hu, Z and Zhang, S and Zhang, K and Yang, R and Hu, G and Xu, C and Li, S},
title = {Antimicrobial resistance, virulence gene, and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli isolated from yaks in Qinghai, China.},
journal = {Frontiers in veterinary science},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1894554},
pmid = {42890996},
issn = {2297-1769},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence gene profiles, and biofilm formation capabilities of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from yaks in Qinghai, China.

METHODS: A total of 60 isolates were analyzed for resistance against 11 antibiotics. PCR was used to identify antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence genes. Biofilm formation was assessed via phenotypic assays. Phylogenetic typing and serotyping were performed using standard molecular and immunological methods.

RESULTS: High prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed, particularly to tetracyclines (43.33%), ciprofloxacin (33.33%), and cefotaxime (33.33%). A total of 63 ARGs were identified, with bla EC-18 (85%) being the most prevalent. Virulence gene screening detected 253 factors, including csgA, csgC, and entD (100% prevalence). Biofilm assays showed that 40% of isolates were strong biofilm producers. Phylogenetic typing classified most strains as phylogroup B1 (81.67%), with sequence types ST2522 (8.33%) and ST56/ST10 (5% each) being dominant. Serotyping revealed O25 and O107 as the most common serotypes (16.67% each). Strong biofilm formers exhibited higher ARG diversity, including bla EC-18 (79.17%) and sul1 (41.67%).

CONCLUSION: Overall, these findings identify diarrheic yak‑associated E. coli as a potential reservoir of resistance and virulence determinants, and support strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, farm hygiene, and One Health surveillance in the Qinghai‑Tibet Plateau.},
}

@article {pmid42886461,
year = {2026},
author = {Gong, W and Priebs, J and Ohse, VA and Bremges, A and Dieck, HT and Klotz, LO and Dargatz, M and Steinbrenner, H},
title = {A Bacillus subtilis strain with high proficiency for biofilm formation delays the onset of aging-associated morphological defects in cholinergic neurons of C. elegans.},
journal = {GeroScience},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42886461},
issn = {2509-2723},
abstract = {Aging is accompanied by progressive functional decline and morphological defects of cholinergic neurons. Some probiotic bacteria with proficiency for biofilm formation in the gut are being discussed as potentially neuroprotective. Here, we screened Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) strains for biofilm production, using an in vitro assay. Thereafter, a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) strain with its cholinergic neurons expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) was fed for up to 15 days on either the identified biofilm-producing B. subtilis strain B4U 50 or the control B. subtilis strain 168, with or without addition of a standardized Ginkgo biloba preparation. The morphology of the cholinergic neurons was monitored at several consecutive days by fluorescence microscopy. The occurrence of morphological defects such as knots and ruptures within the axons of cholinergic neurons, as observed with increasing age, was significantly lower in nematodes provided with the B4U 50 strain. Even worms whose diet was switched to B4U 50 later in life showed less damage of their neurons, as compared to worms fed on the control strain. Supplementation with the Ginkgo biloba preparation was neuroprotective in worms fed on either B. subtilis strain, while a stronger beneficial effect was observed upon combined administration of B. subtilis B4U 50 and the Ginkgo biloba preparation. In conclusion, feeding a B. subtilis strain proficient for biofilm formation, B4U 50, was neuroprotective when compared to a diet consisting of control B. subtilis, delaying the onset of aging-associated morphological defects in cholinergic neurons of C. elegans.},
}

@article {pmid42886893,
year = {2026},
author = {Wu, Y and Ou, Y and Chu, H and Wu, ZC and Sun, F and Yao, H and Tong, R},
title = {Water-Soluble Chlorophyll Proteins as Biocompatible Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy to Combat Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm Through Disrupting Bacterial Membranes.},
journal = {ACS applied bio materials},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acsabm.6c01477},
pmid = {42886893},
issn = {2576-6422},
support = {C6022-22 W//Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee/ ; },
abstract = {The escalating crisis of antibiotic resistance and biofilm-associated infections urgently demands therapeutic strategies with distinct mechanisms of action. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (abPDT) offers a promising alternative, yet its clinical translation is often limited by the poor solubility, low biocompatibility, or complex delivery requirements of conventional photosensitizers (PSs). Here, we report the application of recombinant water-soluble chlorophyll proteins (WSCPs) from the Brassicaceae family as fully natural, self-contained PSs for abPDT. WSCP forms exceptionally stable tetrameric complexes with chlorophylls, providing outstanding water solubility, high photostability, negligible dark toxicity, and food-grade biocompatibility. Upon 660 nm light irradiation, WSCP-mediated abPDT achieves broad-spectrum killing of clinically relevant Gram-positive (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria and effectively disrupts mature biofilms. Mechanistically, WSCP adheres to bacterial surfaces and generates singlet oxygen in situ, causing rapid membrane permeabilization, leakage of intracellular contents, and cell death, through a resistance-evading, physical mode of action. In a murine MRSA-infected wound model, a single topical application of WSCP followed by light exposure significantly reduces bacterial burden, suppresses inflammation, accelerates tissue regeneration, and promotes wound closure without observable toxicity. This work establishes WSCP-based abPDT as a safe, simple, and highly effective platform to combat antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-associated infections.},
}