Biofilms protect bacteria and make them more tolerant to antimicrobial treatments, posing a major clinical challenge by enabling the formation of resistant microbial communities that are difficult to eradicate from hospital environments. A new β-1,2-mannosidase enzyme, designated GH130-BG31, originating from the bacterium Pedobacter sp. BG31 from the institute’s microorganism collection, targets bacterial biofilms associated with healthcare-associated infections. The newly discovered enzyme was tested against several medically relevant pathogens and was also evaluated in a catheter infection model that directly simulates real clinical conditions. In addition to preventing biofilm formation, the enzyme demonstrated the ability to degrade already established biofilms, which are typically the most persistent component of infection. Furthermore, the enzyme was shown to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and reduce the number of bacteria present on the surfaces of medical devices. This discovery opens up new possibilities for the development of combination therapies to combat severe and persistent infections in healthcare settings.

The study was carried out in collaboration with the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Chemistry and the University of Antwerp. The part of the research conducted in Antwerp was supported by an Erasmus Program fellowship.

A novel β-1,2-mannosidase GH130-BG31 from glycoside hydrolase family 130 targets healthcare-associated bacterial biofilms and potentiates antibiotic activity

Sociomicrobiology Group