In previous research I tested the effectiveness of biosurfactants on the removal of microbial biofilms. Having moved more into proteomics I have not kept abreast of current developments in biosurfactants. I wondered if there were any current medical therapies that used conventional antibiotics + biosurfactants for treating infections with a heavy biofilm component such as leg ulcers.
One hypothesis that has been hanging around in the back of my mind for a few years was that by conjugating an existing hydrophilic antibiotic to a hydrophobic fatty acids tail or some similar hydrophobic chain it might make a better chemotherapeutic agent against biofilms. However I have never got around to synthesizing any of these compounds. I would be very happy to see the field move forward if somebody else was to develop a similar idea if it is feasible. Perhaps this combination therapy has already been achieved or is currently in progress in some lab.
I have read a little about Daptomycin , Dalbavancin and Teicoplanin but I am not sure if these are preferred agents of biofilm removal. I would be keen to find out more on new research and trends in the subject of biofilm removal and biosurfactants if anybody has any good references. thanks
There commercialised products with biosurfactant : prontosan (R) - octenillin (R) and also polymem dressing line with and without Ag.
I would say that one of the interesting things in those products is that they are associated with substances that are not specific to a germ but active on a large array of germs which fits to the clinical pbs where usually we have to cope with a "zoo" of bacteria and also myco organisms.
Would somthing more specific found its place ? Probably yes as more than often we have to deal with very resistant bacteria for which the only antibiotics in use needs infusion and hosputalisation ( which is not wanted given the bacteria overload of such a place )
Hope I could have been of some help in our interesting quest
Hello Gerry,
As far as I Know, there is no specific treatment for infections related to biofilms. Currently, the medical device or site of the body is surgically removed or antibiotics as vancomycin or daptomycin is used. However is frequently the use 10 to 100 times the MIC.
I suggest you read the paper I attached. It helped me a lot.
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