DR. TRACY RIVETT ON TACKLING BIOFILMS: AMR CHALLENGES, INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Tracy, from your experience in biofilm testing, what makes biofilms particularly challenging to remove or manage in physical systems like pipelines or medical devices?

Biofilms tend to stick around! These aggregates of cells adhere and form a thick layer of “slime” on surfaces that are difficult to remove, often requiring a mixture of chemical and physical removal.

How do biofilms contribute to the development and persistence of antimicrobial resistance?

When biofilms form, the organisms create a dense layer to encapsulate them in a matrix of sugars and proteins, which is often a first defence against eradication. Cleaning chemicals or antibiotics are unable to reach the organisms through this dense layer. Additionally, biofilms are often made up of many different types of organisms working together. They can communicate to offer instructions in how to neutralise an incoming antimicrobial threat, as well as offer protection for one another and so the levels of antimicrobials needed to eradicate increases as time goes on, further promoting antimicrobial resistance in these biofilms.

Can you discuss the effectiveness of current strategies or treatments for managing biofilms in combating AMR?

Currently there are no requirements for disinfectants to be tested against biofilms and so many disinfectants and antimicrobials on the market are not active in killing and removing biofilms. There are working groups created to progress these standards, and BluTest laboratories are actively engaging in these groups to continue advancing the standardisation of biofilm testing.

What are the key focus areas in biofilm research today, especially concerning AMR, that you had covered at BluTest so far?

BluTest laboratories are aiming to collaborate with producers of new antimicrobials and disinfectants in many sectors to promote the testing of biofilms and reduce the spread of AMR. Biofilms are found throughout our natural environment, but can be particularly problematic in the medical sector, from biofilms on hospital surfaces spreading infection, in chronic wounds and implants, and in dental pipelines. Biofilms formed in industry can lead to a breakdown in food processing and build up on water lines, risking food and water safety.

How does BluTest support industries or healthcare providers in detecting, preventing, and managing biofilms, and what impact have your solutions had in addressing AMR challenges?

At BluTest Laboratories, we can help to identify areas of contamination and highlight the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies by mimicking the biofilm in-vitro. This allows clients to make an informed choice regarding their chosen biocides. Additionally, we aim to support novel innovations in antimicrobial therapies minimising AMR through prevention and eradication.

If you would like to ask Dr Rivett about biofilm projects, please feel free to reach out to us using our contact form!