Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is a troublesome bacterium that causes infections in people with a weakened immune system, such as those who suffer from cystic fibrosis. In sufferers from this disease Pseudomonas Aeruginosa has a tendency to settle in the lungs and line them with a thicker and thicker biofilm, that is nearly impenetrable and resistant to antibiotics, through efficiently pumping the antibiotic toxins out. Ten percent of hospital infections are caused by the bacterium.

P Aeruginosa in its mucoid state is very difficult to combat for the body's immune system defenses. In patients with cystic fibrosis the body resorts to an attempt of "etching" away the mucus, which leads to tissue damage in the lungs.

It seems though that in its mucoid form, the bacterium is sensitive to a common preservative, Sodium Nitrite (E250). Sodium Nitrite needs to work its magic in a slighty acidic environment:

From Science Blog:

"We believe that we have discovered the Achilles' heel of the formidable mucoid form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which could lead to improved treatment for cystic fibrosis airway disease," said Dr. Hassett. "We can essentially say that this organism, which some people thought could never be beaten, can now be destroyed by nothing more exotic than a common food preservative."

Cystic fibrosis, which affects about 30,000 people in the United States, mostly Caucasians of north European origin, is an inherited disease caused by a defect in a gene called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Affecting the airways and many other vital organs and processes, cystic fibrosis is chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal, mostly as a result of respiratory failure.

"The lung-clogging, suffocating mucoid form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa essentially is a death sentence for cystic fibrosis patients because these bacteria are inherently antibiotic and white-cell resistant," said Dr. Hassett.

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