QUORUM SENSING AS A MECHANISM OF AGGRESSION IN BACTERIAL INFECTIONS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Quorum sensing (QS) is an intercellular communication mechanism in bacteria, fundamental for regulating processes such as biofilm formation, toxin production, and antimicrobial resistance. This system depends on autoinducers, signaling molecules that coordinate bacterial behaviors, favoring adaptation to the environment and virulence. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus exemplify the relevance of QS in persistent and antibiotic-resistant infections. Objective: This study reviews articles published between 2007 and 2023 on the role of QS in bacterial infections, aiming to explore therapeutic strategies, such as QS inhibition, to combat antimicrobial resistance. Methodology: A narrative review was conducted, selecting 30 articles in English and Portuguese available in the PubMed and SciELO databases. The search used MeSH descriptors such as "Quorum Sensing," "Biofilms," and "Quorum Sensing Inhibition." The analysis of the articles was organized into thematic categories, addressing biofilm formation, virulence mechanisms, and QS inhibition therapies. Results and Discussion: The results highlight the main components of QS, such as acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), peptides, and AI-2, and their roles in coordinating pathogenic bacterial behaviors. Furthermore, QS inhibition strategies, such as the degradation of autoinducers and receptor blockade, show promise in reducing bacterial virulence and biofilm formation. Conclusion: QS is essential for bacterial virulence and antimicrobial resistance. Research into therapies that modulate QS may offer new approaches to combat serious and resistant infections. Quorum Sensing. Biofilms. Antimicrobial Resistance.