'Resistant Bacteria Discovered Capable of Degrusing Medical-Grade Plastics'
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified plastic-digesting enzymes in hospital pathogens, particularly the "superbug" Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium, which is commonly found in hospital environments, produces an enzyme called Pap1 that can effectively eat polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable plastic widely used in medical devices such as sutures, stents, implants, and more[1].
This digestion allows the bacterium not only to survive but also to generate plastic fragments that strengthen the biofilms it forms. These biofilms confer resistance to antibiotics and immune system attacks, potentially increasing the pathogen's virulence and infection risk in clinical settings[1].
Similar plastic-degrading enzymes have been identified in other hospital pathogens, indicating this might be a broader phenomenon among microbes which can interact with various medical plastics[1]. Such adaptations raise concerns about the durability and safety of plastic medical devices, as "sterile" plastics that can be metabolized by microbes may facilitate persistent infections resistant to treatment.
The impact includes heightened antibiotic resistance, device colonization, and infection risk. Widely used medical materials made from polyethylene terephthalate or polyurethane may also be at risk of microbial attack[1].
Infection control experts may need to reconsider hospital environment monitoring. Screening pathogens for these enzymes, especially in unexplained prolonged outbreaks, is suggested as a proactive measure[1].
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is listed on the World Health Organisation's critical priority list for new treatments. It is a major cause of catheter-related Urinary Tract Infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia, both of which involve plastic-based medical equipment[1]. The impact of these enzymes on patient safety requires further understanding.
The discovery underscores the need to focus on plastics that are harder for microbes to digest. It also highlights the role of plastic in modern medicine and the need to understand its implications.
References: - Pseudomonas aeruginosa digests medical plastics via Pap1 enzyme, strengthening biofilms and potentially increasing virulence[1]. - Similar enzymes exist in other pathogens, signifying a broader issue in healthcare facilities[1]. - The impact includes heightened antibiotic resistance, device colonization, and infection risk[1]. - Pseudomonas aeruginosa's plastic-digesting ability makes it more dangerous because it can form tougher biofilms, helping it resist antibiotics and making infections harder to treat. - Widely used medical materials made from polyethylene terephthalate or polyurethane may be at risk of microbial attack. - Infection control experts may need to reconsider hospital environment monitoring. - The discovery underscores the need to focus on plastics that are harder for microbes to digest. - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is listed on the World Health Organisation's critical priority list for new treatments. - The discovery highlights the role of plastic in modern medicine and the need to understand its implications.
[1] Source: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, Volume 111, Issue 10, October 2019, Pages 2466-2474.
Medical-condition like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a microbe resistant to antibiotics, has been found to use digital health technology, specifically the Pap1 enzyme, to degrade medical plastics such as polycaprolactone. This degradation not only aids the bacterium's survival but also contributes to the strengthening of its biofilms, which can increase health-and-wellness risks in clinical settings, particularly for patients with medical-conditions involving plastic-based medical equipment. The broader implications of this finding underscore the need for further research in the science of plastics and their interaction with microbes in health-and-wellness contexts.
