Specific Disruption of Established Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms Using Polymer-Attacking Enzymes.

ABSTRACT: Biofilms are communities of bacteria embedded in a polymeric matrix which are found in infections and in environments outside the body. Breaking down the matrix renders biofilms more susceptible to physical disruption and to treatments such as antibiotics. Different species of bacteria, and different strains within the same species, produce different types of matrix polymers. This suggests that targeting specific polymers for disruption may be more effective than nonspecific approaches to disrupting biofilm matrixes. In this study, we treated Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms with enzymes that are specific to different matrix polymers. We measured the resulting alteration in biofilm mechanics using bulk rheology and changes in structure using electron microscopy. We find that, for bio

SUBMITTER: Kovach KN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7063831 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature