Method for the Removal of Biofilms

Bacterialbiofilm formation is a major problem not only for patients with inner earinfections, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia and COPD, but also for patients requiringimplanted medical devices. Once a biofilm is formed, treatment of the infectionwith antimicrobial agents is difficult if not impossible. Reducing theprotective, impenetrable biofilm barrier is necessary to make the bacteriaaccessible to antibacterial treatments. Researchers at the Research Instituteat Nationwide Children’s Hospital and at the University of Southern Californiahave identified a protein, IHF, which is a central component of the bacterialbiofilm formed by several pathogenic bacteria. It constitutes an importantstructural component of the biofilm, and has been targeted to resolvebiofilm-related infection in several in vitro and in vivo models.

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