Scientists have discovered that a common type of bacteria that causes infections in hospitals can break down biodegradable plastics that are often used in medical devices and packaging.

The bacterium in question, known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a gram- negative (a classification based on the color the bacterium turns after it has undergone a Gram staining test), rod-shaped bacterial species, and is adaptable and extremely opportunistic, especially in clinical settings. It is a common cause of hospital infections, causing problems such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sepsis, among other issues.

The bacterium is also pretty tough. Some types are resistant to nearly all antibiotics (known as multidrug-resistant, or MDR P. aeruginosa), hence it is often dubbed a "superbug". In the US, this strain is known to cause thousands of deaths in hospitalized patients each year, as well as tens of thousands of non-lethal infections. Those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to such infections.