Bibliometric analysis reveals growing research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm resistance

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Frontiers in Medicine Published June 1, 2026 Medically reviewed June 1, 2026 DOI ↗ By Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

Key Takeaway

Research on P. aeruginosa biofilm resistance is growing, but robust clinical efficacy data remain scarce.

A bibliometric analysis of 6,537 publications on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-mediated drug resistance reveals a steady increase in research output from 2014 to 2025. The review identifies three major research directions, highlighting a growing interest in adjunctive and mechanistically targeted strategies for chronic airway and wound-associated infections.

Despite this expanding interest, mature efficacy data for these novel approaches remain limited. The analysis underscores a critical gap between research activity and robust clinical trial evidence, suggesting that many proposed strategies are still in early investigative stages.

The findings indicate that future research should focus on translating mechanistic insights into validated therapeutic options. This may help guide the development of more effective anti-biofilm and anti-resistance interventions, particularly for persistent infections where current treatments are inadequate.

Overall, the review provides a comprehensive landscape of current research trends, emphasizing the need for more rigorous clinical studies to confirm the efficacy and safety of emerging anti-biofilm strategies.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

BackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa is a major opportunistic pathogen whose ability to form biofilms greatly enhances antimicrobial tolerance and contributes to persistent infection. Although increasing attention has been paid to biofilm-mediated drug resistance, the overall knowledge structure and translational development of this field remain unclear.MethodsA bibliometric analysis was performed using publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus on December 20, 2025. The search covered the period 2014–2025 and focused on P. aeruginosa, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilms, resulting in 6,537 publications for bibliometric analysis. To complement the bibliometric findings, a supplementary narrative review of published clinical studies and a separate registered trial landscape overview were conducted. After screening, 6 published clinical studies and 18 registered interventional trials were included.ResultsGlobal research output on P. aeruginosa biofilm-mediated resistance increased steadily from 2014 to 2025. China, the United States, and India were the most productive countries, while the United States showed the leading role in the international collaboration network. Keyword clustering and temporal analyses indicated three major research directions: multidrug resistance evolution and pathogenic synergy, novel antibacterial interventions and functional materials, and clinical translation and efficacy evaluation. The supplementary clinical component showed growing interest in adjunctive and mechanistically targeted strategies, particularly in chronic airway and wound-associated infections, although mature efficacy data remain limited.ConclusionsResearch on P. aeruginosa biofilm-mediated drug resistance is shifting from mechanistic exploration toward translational application. This study provides a data-driven overview of the field’s intellectual structure, research hotspots, and emerging trends, and may help guide future anti-biofilm and anti-resistance research.