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© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background: Biofilm-associated infections frequently span multiple body sites and represent a significant clinical challenge, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach involving surgery and antimicrobial therapy. These infections are commonly healthcare-associated and frequently related to internal or external medical devices. The formation of biofilms complicates treatment, as they create environments that are difficult for most antimicrobial agents to penetrate. Fluoroquinolones play a critical role in the eradication of biofilm-related infections. Numerous studies have investigated the synergistic potential of combining fluoroquinolones with other chemical agents to augment their efficacy while minimizing potential toxicity. Comparative research suggests that the antibiofilm activity of fluoroquinolones is superior to that of beta-lactams and glycopeptides. However, their activity remains less effective than that of minocycline and fosfomycin. Noteworthy combinations include fluoroquinolones with fosfomycin and aminoglycosides for enhanced activity against Gram-negative organisms and fluoroquinolones with minocycline and rifampin for more effective treatment of Gram-positive infections. Despite the limitations of fluoroquinolones due to the intrinsic characteristics of this antibiotic, they remain fundamental in this setting thanks to their bioavailability and synergisms with other drugs. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using online databases (PubMed/MEDLINE/Google Scholar) and books written by experts in microbiology and infectious diseases to identify relevant studies on fluoroquinolones and biofilm. Results: This review critically assesses the role of fluoroquinolones in managing biofilm-associated infections in various clinical settings while also exploring the potential benefits of combination therapy with these antibiotics. Conclusions: The literature predominantly consists of in vitro studies, with limited in vivo investigations. Although real world data are scarce, they are in accordance with fluoroquinolones’ effectiveness in managing early biofilm-associated infections. Also, future perspectives of newer treatment options to be placed alongside fluoroquinolones are discussed. This review underscores the role of fluoroquinolones in the setting of biofilm-associated infections, providing a comprehensive guide for physicians regarding the best use of this class of antibiotics while highlighting the existing critical issues.

Details

Title
Fluoroquinolones and Biofilm: A Narrative Review
Author
Geremia, Nicholas 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Giovagnorio, Federico 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Colpani, Agnese 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; De Vito, Andrea 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Botan, Alexandru 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Stroffolini, Giacomo 5   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Dan-Alexandru Toc 6   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Zerbato, Verena 7   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Principe, Luigi 8 ; Giordano Madeddu 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Luzzati, Roberto 9   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Parisi, Saverio Giuseppe 2 ; Stefano Di Bella 9   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale “dell’Angelo”, 30174 Venice, Italy; Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile “S.S. Giovanni e Paolo”, 30122 Venice, Italy 
 Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; [email protected] (F.G.); [email protected] (S.G.P.) 
 Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; [email protected] (A.C.); [email protected] (A.D.V.); [email protected] (G.M.) 
 Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; [email protected] 
 Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy; [email protected] 
 Department of Microbiology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; [email protected] 
 Infectious Diseases Unit, Trieste University Hospital (ASUGI), 34125 Trieste, Italy; [email protected] 
 Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Great Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89128 Reggio di Calabria, Italy; [email protected] 
 Clinical Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Trieste University, 34129 Trieste, Italy; [email protected] (R.L.); [email protected] (S.D.B.) 
First page
1673
Publication year
2024
Publication date
2024
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
14248247
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3149742351
Copyright
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.