Abstract
Significance: In the host-microbe microenvironment, bioelectrical factors influence microbes and hosts as well as host-microbe interactions. This article discusses relevant mechanistic underpinnings of this novel paradigm. It also addresses how such knowledge may be leveraged to develop novel electroceutical solutions to manage biofilm infection. Recent Advances: Systematic review and meta-analysis of several hundred wound studies reported a 78.2% prevalence of biofilms in chronic wounds. Biofilm infection is a major cause of delayed wound healing. In the host-microbe microenvironment, bioelectrical factors influence interactions between microbes and hosts. Critical Issues: Rapid biological responses are driven by electrical signals generated by ion currents moving across cell membranes. Bacterial life, growth, and function rely on a bioelectrical milieu, which when perturbed impairs their ability to form a biofilm, a major threat to health care. Electrokinetic stability of several viral particles depend on electrostatic forces. Weak electrical field strength, otherwise safe for humans, can be anti-microbial in this context. In the host, the electric field enhanced keratinocyte migration, bolstered immune defenses, improved mitochondrial function, and demonstrated multiple other effects consistent with supporting wound healing. A deeper mechanistic understanding of bioelectrical principles will inform the design of next-generation electroceuticals. Future Directions: This is an opportune moment in time as there is a surge of interest in electroceuticals in medicine. Projected to reach $35.5 billion by 2025, electroceuticals are becoming a cynosure in the global market. The World Health Organization reports that more than 50% of surgical site infections can be antibiotic resistant. Electroceuticals offer a serious alternative.