Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and their partners in crime

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and the capacity of the bacterium to coexist and interact with a broad range of microorganisms have a substantial clinical impact. This review focuses on the main traits of P. aeruginosa biofilms, such as the structural composition and regulatory networks involved, placing particular emphasis on the clinical challenges they represent in terms of antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm infection clearance. Furthermore, the ability of P. aeruginosa to grow together with other microorganisms is a significant pathogenic attribute with clinical relevance; hence, the main microbial interactions of Pseudomonas are especially highlighted and detailed throughout this review. This article also explores the infections caused by single and polymicrobial biofilms of P. aeruginosa and the current models used to recreate them under laboratory conditions. Finally, the antimicrobial and antibiofilm strategies developed against P. aeruginosa mono and multispecies biofilms are detailed at the end of this review.

Automated summary

This article discusses the traits of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and the clinical challenges they pose, focusing on the bacterium's ability to coexist and interact with other microorganisms. It explores infections caused by P. aeruginosa single and polymicrobial biofilms, as well as current models used to recreate them in laboratory conditions. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm strategies developed against P. aeruginosa mono and multispecies biofilms are also detailed.