Development of New Therapeutics Targeting Biofilm Formation by the Opportunistic Pulmonary Pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus
Abstract
Lung infections are one of the most important causes of death in patients whose immune systems do not work properly because of chemotherapy, organ and bone marrow transplantation, or the use of immune suppressing medications like steroids. These infections are also common in people with long-standing lung disease from smoking or other toxic exposures. Two of the most important causes of lung infection in these patients are the bacteria Pseudomonas and the mold Aspergillus. Despite antibiotic and antifungal treatment, up to half of people will die when infected with these organisms. Even when antibiotic treatment for these infections is successful in the short term, they do not eliminate the organism from the lung and as a result these infections commonly recur. This resistance to treatment results from the ability of these pathogens to build a slime coating that is highly resistant to antibiotics as well as our own immune system. To combat these deadly infections, our groups have developed four slime-degrading enzymes, which selectively target, penetrate, and destroy this slime coating without causing damage to our own cells. In a test tube, this treatment results in the elimination of the slime, allowing the pathogens to be targeted and killed by our defensive immune system and antimicrobials. In this proposal, we will test these enzymes, with antibiotics, in mice infected with these pathogens. This novel treatment will have tremendous potential to improve the lives of patients with lung disease and poorly functioning immune systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1610283
Entities
People
- Donald C Sheppard
Organizations
- McGill University Health Centre
- United States Army