Enzymatic Detachment of <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> Biofilms

TLDR

Staphylococcus epidermidis, a gram‑positive bacterium, is the leading cause of catheter‑associated infections and forms adherent biofilms on plastic surfaces via extracellular slime. The enzyme released extracellular slime from S. epidermidis cells.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common cause of infections associated with catheters and other indwelling medical devices. S. epidermidis produces an extracellular slime that enables it to form adherent biofilms on plastic surfaces. We found that a biofilm-releasing enzyme produced by the gram-negative periodontal pathogen Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans rapidly and efficiently removed S. epidermidis biofilms from plastic surfaces. The enzyme worked by releasing extracellular slime from S. epidermidis cells. Precoating surfaces with the enzyme prevented S. epidermidis biofilm formation. Our findings demonstrate that biofilm-releasing enzymes can exhibit broad-spectrum activity and that these enzymes may be useful as antibiofilm agents.