Different effects of matrix degrading enzymes towards biofilms formed by E. faecalis and E. faecium clinical isolates

E. faecalis and E. faecium cause urinary tract infections highly resistant to therapies due to a protective extracellular matrix. To exploit a new strategy able to treat infections without increasing antibiotic doses, we used enzymes targeting specific biofilm matrix components in combination with Vancomycin. We investigated the activity of Vancomycin combined with two matrix-degrading enzymes, Alginate Lyase (AlgL) and Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) against in vitro biofilm of E. faecalis and E. faecium clinical isolates. The heterogeneity of matrix composition leads to defined physiological responses of biofilm communities to their environment: we demonstrated that the use of DNase I and AlgL enzymes affects biofilm structure, cell viability and reduces MBEC values of Vancomycin in E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively.