Clinical and research medicine has long searched for keys to overcome bacterial resistance when treating patients for recurrent or stubborn infections. Researchers have found various means to overcome bacterial resistance in many cases. They have produced whole new classes of antibiotics, They have altered old antibiotics over and over, either increasing their killing power or increasing their resistance to bacterial counterattacks. They have counterattacked again and again yet it remains trench warfare.
In the midst of such trench warfare, scientists learned that bacterial resistance magnifies with the growth of biofilms. This blanket of mucous from protein and carbohydrates protects hiding bacteria from even the antibiotics that would normally kill them. When stressed groups of bacteria collectively secrete these substances that coalesce into their security blanket. This has plagued many chronic infections especially for patients wit artificial parts like joints or in-dwelling IV catheters.
A study by Siva Wu et al described their experiment in which ampicillin, a cousin of amoxicillin, at sub-optimal doses triggered the production of such biofilms. Other studies have delved into the mechanisms of quorum sensing by bacterial colonies. The colonies somehow communicate to simultaneously shift into a biofilm producing stage when they reach a certain concentration. Regardless, to combat these infections, medicine has to either stop the formation of the biofilms or find a way to shred these protective blankets.
In functional medicine we recognized the important of biofilms years ago when we saw chronic Lyme frustrate patients and doctors with resistance. As the conventional world continues to scratch its head on how to treat these infections, we already have a set of biofilm tools to care for patients. When addressing Lyme, we employ high concentrations of the sweetener Stevia to disrupt lyme biofilms. For general chronic infections like MARCONS in the nose of mold patients or candida throughout the body, we may use Interfase, a collection of enzymes that digest the biofilm. For respiratory infections, we may consider N acetyl cysteine, a simple amino acid to break up biofilms. Then our anti-bacterials, whether natural or synthetic have a far better chance of victory.
Our bacterial enemy stands very resourceful in fighting against our attacks. Science is just beginning to grasp the impact of chronic infections and biofilms on health. As the central role of inflammation in many diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease becomes more recognized, infections hiding in biofilms will likely end up being one of the primary causes behind many diseases. To help our patients live healthier more abundant lives, we have to not just recognize and understand them, but find means of counterattack. To keep these invaders we have to tear up their safety blanket.
Beta- Lactam Antibiotics Stimulate Biofilm Formation in Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae by Up-Regulating Carbohydrate Metabolism
Siva Wu, Xiaojin Li, Manjula Gunawardana, Kathleen Maguire, Debbie Guerrero-Given, Christoph Schaudinn, Charles Wang, Marc M. Baum, Paul Webster
PLOS Published: July 9, 2014 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0099204
Respir Med. 2016 Aug;117:190-7. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2016.06.015. Epub 2016 Jun 16.
The effect of N-acetylcysteine on biofilms: Implications for the treatment of respiratory tract infections.
Blasi F, Page C, Rossolini GM, Pallecchi L, Matera MG, Rogliani P, Cazzola M.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
