Researchers identified a clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, PA-W23, capable of degrading a common medical plastic, polycaprolactone (PCL), and enhancing its biofilm-forming ability. The plastic-degrading enzyme, Pap1, secreted by the strain, increased biofilm formation, leading to enhanced antibiotic resistance and persistent infection. The presence of the PCL degradation byproduct, 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid (6OH-HA), stabilized and strengthened the biofilm. This study underscores the potential risk of medical plastics supporting the survival and virulence of opportunistic pathogens, prompting the need for improved infection control and medical device safety measures.

Source: Cell reports