ABSTRACT
Chronic infections such as non-healing wounds, lung infections and indwelling device-associated infections are frequently linked to the formation of biofilms. Biofilms are bacterial communities present in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix of proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and extracellular DNA. This lifestyle provides protection from environmental changes and streamlined defence mechanisms, promoting tolerance and resistance to antimicrobial agents. Research has shown that the presence of biofilms frequently leads to persistent, antibiotic-refractory diseases, prolonged infections, extended hospital stays, ongoing morbidity and elevated mortality, thereby adding a significant burden on patient’s health and the healthcare system.
It is therefore pivotal to select appropriate antibiofilm treatments and rapidly intervene to maximise therapy efficacy and improve clinical outcomes.
This chapter describes different models to assess the susceptibility of biofilms from “continuous culture-based” to “batch culture based” methods and evaluates their merits and drawbacks. This can aid in diagnostic procedures to select the appropriate type and concentration of antimicrobial agents.
