Biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)

Biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) represent the complex, self-produced matrix that encases microbial communities on catheter surfaces, providing structural integrity and a protective barrier against external threats (Flemming & Wingender, 2010, Nature Reviews Microbiology). This matrix is primarily composed of exopolysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular DNA (eDNA), which collectively facilitate adhesion to medical devices and shield bacteria from host immune cells and antibiotic penetration (Donlan, 2001, Emerging Infectious Diseases). In the context of catheter-associated infections, the EPS is a major contributor to chronic persistence and high levels of antimicrobial resistance, often requiring significantly higher doses of antibiotics for clearance compared to planktonic cells (Hall & Mah, 2017, Nature Reviews Microbiology). Therapeutic strategies targeting the EPS include the use of matrix-degrading enzymes like DNase I or Dispersin B, as well as chelating agents that destabilize the matrix structure (Tetz et al., 2009, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy). By disrupting this protective scaffold, these treatments enhance the efficacy of conventional antibiotics and promote the clearance of device-related infections (Percival et al., 2015, Journal of Medical Microbiology).

Other names

Biofilm matrixExtracellular matrix of biofilmsExtracellular polymeric substancesEPS matrixBiofilm scaffoldExopolysaccharide matrix

Therapeutic strategies target the EPS through enzymatic degradation of structural polymers (e.g., glycoside hydrolases for polysaccharides and nucleases for eDNA), chelation of divalent cations like calcium and magnesium that stabilize the matrix, and the use of anti-adhesive coatings to prevent initial microbial attachment to the catheter surface (Flemming & Wingender, 2010, Nature Reviews Microbiology; Tetz et al., 2009, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy).