Anti-Biofilm Agent

About

Introduction: Microbial biofilms are a source of chronic infection, causing illness in 14 million people and 350,000 deaths across the globe annually. While it is possible to disrupt and destroy biofilms with biocidal agents, this approach is unfavorable, as biofilms are particularly prone to developing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In addition, biofilms are often the mechanism whereby a microbial community exerts a pathogenic effect. Thus the ability to disrupt a biofilm without using biocidal agents opens the opportunity to ameliorate pathogenic activity without driving AMR. Currently, several approaches are employed to control microbial biofilms. Such practices include the use of disinfectants, topical antiseptics, antibiotics, surgical and nonsurgical procedures to remove dental biofilms, and disposal and replacement of biofilm-infected prostheses and medical devices. However, disinfectants used to clean surfaces can be corrosive to materials and topical antiseptics in healthcare products damages host tissue as well as the targeted microorganisms. Antibiotics, although currently used to treat biofilm infections, are proven to be ineffective anti-biofilm therapeutics, especially against stationary cells. There is lack of effective therapeutics that can be applied to combat biofilm infections without biocidal effects and cover various organisms. Technology: While investigating the bioactive subfractions of extracts of the Gesho plant, Georgia State University researchers discovered, isolated, and characterized compounds that exhibit anti-biofilm activity that show minimal biocidal activity. Gesho (Rhamnus prinoides) is a plant indigenous to Africa, where it is renowned for its numerous medicinal uses. The isolated compound 4-ethoxybenzoic acid (4EB) is effective at preventing biofilm formation by well-known and commercially significant pathogens including: Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and the yeast Candida albicans. S. aureus, which is associated with numerous difficult-to-treat and lethal infections. All of these microorganisms are particularly dangerous for people who are immuno-compromised such as the elderly, children, and those with immune system deficiencies such as HIV patients. With a novel scope of gesho extracts, these plant-based agents can provide safe and effective means for biofilm inhibition against a wide variety of microbes without increasing antimicrobial resistance. 4EB is an anti-biofilm, anti-pathogenic compound because it inhibits biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus and other Gram-positive bacteria without killing them, so it is less likely to cause antimicrobial resistance. The effective concentration of 4EB (0.04%) is well suited for use as a surface disinfectant and for topical applications.