Patent ID: 8901167

Claim:
A method to reduce biofilms in a subject diagnosed as having biofilms, the biofilms forming as a result of the contact of the subject with a medical device, a graft, a catheter, a stent, a wound dressing, or a prosthesis; being associated with the presence of necrotic cells; and being produced by a microorganism that has enhanced biofilm formation in the presence of said necrotic cells, the method comprising administering to a subject that has biofilms, a compound that inhibits the formation or polymerization of actin microfilaments or depolymerizes actin microfilaments at or proximal to the site of biofilm formation or the site of infection by said microorganism wherein inhibition of the formation or polymerization of actin microfilaments or the depolymerization of actin filaments reduces biofilms in the subject, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of latrunculins and swinholides.