Pseudomonas aeruginosa under a microscope. (Image credit: James Cavallini/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A first-of-its-kind study has shown that a superbug that often causes infections in healthcare settings can feed on plastic used in medical procedures, making it even more threatening.
The main causative agent is the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is often found in hospitals and can cause potentially life-threatening infections of the lungs, urinary tract and blood.
Scientists have now analyzed a strain of the bacterium taken from a patient’s wound in a hospital, revealing a surprising property that allows it to persist longer on surfaces and in patients: its ability to break down biodegradable plastics used in stents, sutures, and implants. The researchers published their findings May 7 in the journal Cell Reports.
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