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Live-Cell Imaging of the Life Cycle of Bacterial Predator Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus using Time-Lapse Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: May 8, 2020
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Predatory bacteria are nontoxic to the rabbit ocular surface
Eric G Romanowski1,2, Nicholas A Stella1,2, Kimberly M Brothers1,2
1University of Pittsburgh, Department of Ophthalmology, Eye &Ear Institute, 203 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213.
Scientific Reports
|August 17, 2016
Summary
Predatory bacteria show promise for treating multidrug-resistant infections. These novel antimicrobial agents were found safe for ocular surface use in vitro and in vivo, without hindering wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ophthalmology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- The rise of antimicrobial resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Predatory bacteria, which prey on other bacteria, offer a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics.
- Assessing the safety of new antimicrobial agents, like predatory bacteria, for ocular applications is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and tolerability of predatory bacteria (Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus) on the ocular surface.
- To compare the effects of predatory bacteria with vancomycin on corneal wound healing and inflammation in vivo.
Main Methods:
- In vitro testing on human corneal stromal keratocytes.
- In vivo studies using rabbit ocular surface models, including those with corneal epithelial abrasions.
- Assessment of inflammatory markers (IL-8, IL-1β) and clinical signs of inflammation.
- Evaluation of corneal epithelial wound healing rates.
Main Results:
- Predatory bacteria were non-toxic to corneal cells in vitro but induced Interleukin-8 (IL-8) production.
- No significant ocular surface inflammation was observed in rabbits treated with predatory bacteria.
- Unlike vancomycin, predatory bacteria did not impede corneal epithelial wound healing or exacerbate clinical inflammation in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Predatory bacteria demonstrate a favorable safety profile for ocular surface applications.
- Further research is needed to explore the efficacy and safety of predatory bacteria in deeper eye tissues.
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