Phage therapy combined with Gum Karaya injectable hydrogels for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus deep wound infection in a porcine model

• Published in: International journal of pharmaceutics 2024-07, Vol.660, p.124348, Article 124348
• Main Authors: Vacek, L., Polaštík Kleknerová, D., Lipový, B., Holoubek, J., Matysková, D., Černá, E., Brtníková, J., Jeklová, E., Kobzová, Š., Janda, L., Lišková, L., Diabelko, D., Botka, T., Pantůček, R., Růžička, F., Vojtová, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteriophage; Gum Karaya; Hydrogel film; Injectable hydrogel; MRSA; Phage therapy; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 0378-5173; 1873-3476; 1873-3476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124348

[Display omitted] •Phage therapy, as currently practised, has a few, if any, side effects.•The Gum Karaya-based delivery system can be an effective topical therapy for SSTIs.•No side effects of the Gum Karaya or phages were observed during the study.•Gum Karaya-based hydrogels contribute to moist wound healing.•Gum Karaya-based hydrogels and phages act in synergy. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) represent a significant healthcare challenge, particularly in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance. This study investigates the efficacy of a novel therapeutic approach combining bacteriophage (phage) therapy with a gum Karaya (GK)-based hydrogel delivery system in a porcine model of deep staphylococcal SSTIs. The study exploits the lytic activity and safety of the Staphylococcus phage 812K1/420 of the Kayvirus genus, which is active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The GK injectable hydrogels and hydrogel films, developed by our research group, serve as effective, non-toxic, and easy-to-apply delivery systems, supporting moist wound healing and re-epithelialization. In the porcine model, the combined treatment showed asynergistic effect, leading to a significant reduction in bacterial load (2.5 log CFU/gram of tissue) within one week. Local signs of inflammation were significantly reduced by day 8, with clear evidence of re-epithelialization and wound contraction. Importantly, no adverse effects of the GK-based delivery system were observed throughout the study. The results highlight the potential of this innovative therapeutic approach to effectively treat deep staphylococcal SSTIs, providing a promising avenue for further research and clinical application in the field of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.