Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium responsible for 10%–30% of hospital-acquired infections in India, has now been found to break down plastics used in medical devices. Researchers have discovered that this pathogen can degrade plastics found in sutures, stents, wound dressings, and implants. These materials were previously believed to be resistant to microbial activity.
Study Challenges Long-Held Beliefs
Published in the journal Cell Reports, this “world-first” study challenges the long-standing assumption that medical-grade plastics are immune to degradation by pathogens. The findings suggest that any medical device or treatment involving plastic may be vulnerable to bacterial breakdown.
Bacteria Use Plastic as Food Source
Led by Professor Ronan McCarthy, the research team isolated an enzyme—Pap1—from a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa originally taken from a patient’s wound. In laboratory tests, this enzyme degraded 78% of a plastic sample within just seven days. Remarkably, the bacteria could survive on plastic as its sole carbon source, essentially consuming the material as food.
Implications for Hospital Environments
According to McCarthy, these findings call for a reassessment of how pathogens persist in hospital settings. Plastics, including surface materials in medical facilities, may serve as nutrient sources for these bacteria. As a result, such pathogens might survive longer in clinical environments, increasing the risk of infection.
A Superbug with Antibiotic Resistance
Notably, Pseudomonas aeruginosa belongs to a group of bacteria known for causing most hospital-acquired infections and exhibiting high levels of antibiotic resistance. This new ability to degrade plastic adds to its already concerning profile.
Conclusion: Rethinking Medical Material Safety
As reported by TOI, this discovery urges healthcare systems to reevaluate the use and durability of plastic-based medical materials. Future strategies may need to address not just antibiotic resistance but also the potential for microbial degradation of medical devices.