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Antibiotics
Special Issues
Microbial Biofilms: Identification, Resistance and Novel Drugs
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Microbial Biofilms: Identification, Resistance and Novel Drugs

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Antibiofilm Strategies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 2249

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Célia Fortuna Rodrigues

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Guest Editor
1. Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
2. ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Interests: biofilms; Candida infections; AMR; polymicrobial infections; alternative treatments; natural compounds; oral infections
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Susana Patrícia Lopes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO-Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: biofilms; cistic fibrosis; resistance; pseudomonas
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms are the main growing form of microorganisms. These communities can be developed in both biological and nonliving surfaces, forming complex “cities”, protected from environmental agressions. Unfortunately, they also carry tolerance and resistance mechanisms to drugs which difficult their irradiation. The emergent threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacterial, fungal or viral infections has driven the research community to explore effective alternatives to fight these critical pathogens. In this SI, we plan to explore in a deeper way, the potential bioactive effects of novel compounds to treat infections related to bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, with a particular interest in those directly related to AMR issues.

Dr. Célia Fortuna Rodrigues
Dr. Susana Patrícia Lopes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biofilm
  • resistance
  • pathogens
  • alternative treatment
  • plant extract
  • peptides
  • nanotechnology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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25 pages, 11534 KiB  
Article
Repurposing Mouthwashes: Antifungal and Antibiofilm Abilities of Commercially Available Mouthwashes Against Candida spp.
by Marie Maziere, Paulo Rompante, José Carlos Andrade, Beatriz S. F. De Oliveira, Mariana C. Alves and Celia Fortuna Rodrigues
Antibiotics 2025, 14(5), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14050483 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 401
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate and compare the antifungal efficacy against Candida spp. in commercially available mouthwashes distributed in the European market. Indeed, the solution to emerging infectious diseases may no longer lie in costly new drug development but rather [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate and compare the antifungal efficacy against Candida spp. in commercially available mouthwashes distributed in the European market. Indeed, the solution to emerging infectious diseases may no longer lie in costly new drug development but rather in unlocking the untapped potential of existing substances. Materials and Methods: Eighteen mouthwashes, chosen based on their composition, were tested in vitro against ten Candida strains, including clinical isolates of oral origin and reference strains, in both planktonic and biofilm forms. The antifungal susceptibility testing was conducted using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) disc diffusion method and the evaluation of the kinetic growth in planktonic Candida. Biofilm reduction was determined by the evaluation of the minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed to evaluate potential morphological alterations of Candida biofilms. Results: Most mouthwashes effectively reduced biomass production and colony-forming unit (CFU) count. Parodontax Extra showed the highest efficacy. In the disc diffusion assay, Gum Paroex 0.12% exhibited the largest average inhibition zone diameter. Some unusual trends in the data may be explained by a higher reaction of fungal cells and the release of excess biomass during co-incubation in higher concentration of mouthwashes. SEM images revealed significant morphological alterations. Conclusion: Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine digluconate, either alone or in combination with cetylpyridinium chloride and other active compounds, emerged as a common factor among the most efficacious formulations. In vivo studies will be essential to validate these findings, but mouthwashes may serve as a valuable adjuvant in the treatment of oral candidiasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biofilms: Identification, Resistance and Novel Drugs)
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22 pages, 11558 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Effect of Clove and Thyme Essential Oils on Growth Inhibition and Biofilm Formation of Arcobacter spp. and Other Bacteria
by Leona Hofmeisterová, Tomáš Bajer, Maciej Walczak and David Šilha
Antibiotics 2024, 13(12), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13121232 - 20 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1369
Abstract
Background: In recent years, significant resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics has been observed. A biofilm is a structure that significantly aids the survival of the microbial population and also significantly affects its resistance. Methods: Thyme and clove essential oils (EOs) were subjected to [...] Read more.
Background: In recent years, significant resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics has been observed. A biofilm is a structure that significantly aids the survival of the microbial population and also significantly affects its resistance. Methods: Thyme and clove essential oils (EOs) were subjected to chemical analysis using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Furthermore, the antimicrobial effect of these EOs was tested in both the liquid and vapor phases using the volatilization method. The effect of the EOs on growth parameters was monitored using an RTS-8 bioreactor. However, the effect of the EOs on the biofilm formation of commonly occurring bacteria with pathogenic potential was also monitored, but for less described and yet clinically important strains of Arcobacter spp. Results: In total, 37 and 28 compounds were identified in the thyme and clove EO samples, respectively. The most common were terpenes and also derivatives of phenolic substances. Both EOs exhibited antimicrobial activity in the liquid and/or vapor phase against at least some strains. The determined antimicrobial activity of thyme and clove oil was in the range of 32–1024 µg/mL in the liquid phase and 512–1024 µg/mL in the vapor phase, respectively. The results of the antimicrobial effect are also supported by similar conclusions from monitoring growth curves using the RTS bioreactor. The effect of EOs on biofilm formation differed between strains. Biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was completely suppressed in an environment with a thyme EO concentration of 1024 µg/mL. On the other hand, increased biofilm formation was found, e.g., in an environment of low concentration (1–32 µg/mL). Conclusions: The potential of using natural matrices as antimicrobials or preservatives is evident. The effect of these EOs on biofilm formation, especially Arcobacter strains, is described for the first time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Biofilms: Identification, Resistance and Novel Drugs)
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