Biofilms in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Impact, Risk Factors and Control Strategies

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Ana C. Afonso (Author) Other; Diana Oliveira (Author) Other; Maria José Saavedra (Author) Other; Anabela Borges (Author) FEUP; Manuel Simões (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: International Journal Of Molecular Sciences

Vol. 22 No. 9

Pages: 1-8278

ISSN: 1661-6596

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 29 Citations

Associated Projects

Biocide_for_Biofilm - Desenvolvimento de novas soluções biocidas para o controlo efetivo de biofilmes

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

ABFISH - Desenvolvimento de novos antibióticos para aquacultura

GermIrrad - Sistema automatizado de irradiação germicida

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-7T1

DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158278

Abstract (EN): Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication from diabetes mellitus, with a huge economic, social and psychological impact on the patients' life. One of the main reasons why DFUs are so difficult to heal is related to the presence of biofilms. Biofilms promote wound inflammation and a remarkable lack of response to host defences/treatment options, which can lead to disease progression and chronicity. In fact, appropriate treatment for the elimination of these microbial communities can prevent the disease evolution and, in some cases, even avoid more serious outcomes, such as amputation or death. However, the detection of biofilm-associated DFUs is difficult due to the lack of methods for diagnostics in clinical settings. In this review, the current knowledge on the involvement of biofilms in DFUs is discussed, as well as how the surrounding environment influences biofilm formation and regulation, along with its clinical implications. A special focus is also given to biofilm-associated DFU diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. An overview on promising alternative therapeutics is provided and an algorithm considering biofilm detection and treatment is proposed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 25