17/07/2025
A new study discovered that the dangerous hospital bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa can actually feed on the plastic materials used in medical devices like sutures, implants, and wound dressings. This bug, which causes hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide each year, was found to produce an enzyme called Pap1 that breaks down biodegradable plastic into food it can use. This ability helps the bacteria survive longer on medical surfaces and form protective layers called biofilms, which make it tougher for antibiotics to kill them.
Researchers tested this by giving the enzyme gene to another common bacteria, which then also broke down the plastic, proving Pap1βs role. The findings suggest that plastic medical devices might unintentionally support superbugs, helping them resist treatments and spread infections in hospitals. Scientists warn this discovery means hospitals need to rethink the plastics used and increase research on how bacteria might be exploiting these materials to stay alive and dangerous. This could lead to new strategies for preventing infections in medical settings and improving patient safety.
Like and follow my page for more