The Consequences of Biofilm Dispersal on the Host
Abstract
Chronic infections are often associated with the presence of a biofilm, a community of microorganisms coexisting within a protective matrix of extracellular polymeric substance. Living within a biofilm can make resident microbes significantly more tolerant to antibiotics in comparison to planktonic, free-floating cells. Thus, agents that can degrade biofilms are being pursued for clinical applications. While biofilm degrading and dispersing agents may represent attractive adjunctive therapies for biofilm-associated chronic infections, very little is known about how the host responds to the sudden dispersal of biofilm cells. In this study, we found that large-scale, in vivo dispersal of motile biofilm bacteria by glycoside hydrolases caused lethal septicemia in the absence of antibiotic therapy in a mouse wound model. However, when administered prudently, biofilm degrading enzymes had the potential to potentiate the efficacy of antibiotics and help resolve biofilm-associated wound infections.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 2018
- Source ID
- 10.1038/s41598-018-29121-2
Entities
People
- Derek Fleming
- Kendra Rumbaugh
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- National Institutes of Health