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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Published on: February 28, 2019
Effects of silver nanoparticles on Staphylococcus aureus contaminated open wounds healing in mice: An experimental
Masood Adibhesami1, Malahat Ahmadi2, Amir Abbas Farshid3
1PhD candidate, Department of Microbiology; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
Abstract:
The microorganisms have been noted as the main cause of delayed wound healing. The most common pathogen causing the wound infections is Staphylococcus aureus. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) show ample antibacterial activities. In the present study, the effect of AgNPs on mouse wounds inoculated with S. aureus was investigated. Sixty male mice (20 to 30 g) were anesthetized, full-thickness skin wounds were made on their back and then the bacterial suspension was added to each wound bed. Treatments were administered on wound bed topically including gentamicin (8 mg kg-1), AgNPs (0.08 mg kg-1, 0.04 mg kg-1 and 0.02 mg kg-1) and normal saline in the control group. Wound healing was monitored macroscopically by taking digital photographs on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of the experiment. Topical application of gentamicin and AgNPs (0.08 and 0.04 mg kg-1) significantly increased the rate of wound healing more than treatment with AgNPs at a dose of 0.02 mg kg-1and normal saline. The presence of silver nanoparticles in AgNPs groups (especially 0.08 mg kg-1) improved wound appearance better than other groups without silver nanoparticles (gentamicin and control groups) and led to lesser wound scars. According to data analysis, healing rate of treated mice with gentamicin and AgNPs (0.08 mg kg-1) was significantly (p < 0.001) faster than treated mice with other AgNPs doses and normal saline. The results of current study introduced an in vivo nanosilver accelerating effects on the treatment of on S. aureus infected skin wounds.
Insights
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) accelerate healing of Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds in mice. Higher AgNP concentrations significantly improved wound closure and reduced scarring compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Wound healing research
- Nanomedicine
- Antimicrobial agents
Background:
- Microbial infections, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, are a primary cause of delayed wound healing.
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess significant antibacterial properties.
- Investigating novel therapeutic strategies for infected wounds is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in promoting the healing of Staphylococcus aureus-infected skin wounds in a mouse model.
- To compare the wound healing effects of different concentrations of AgNPs with a standard antibiotic (gentamicin) and a control.
Main Methods:
- Full-thickness skin wounds were created on male mice and inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus.
- Wounds were topically treated with varying doses of AgNPs (0.02, 0.04, 0.08 mg kg⁻¹), gentamicin (8 mg kg⁻¹), or normal saline.
- Wound healing was monitored macroscopically via digital photography over 21 days.
Main Results:
- Topical application of gentamicin and higher doses of AgNPs (0.08 and 0.04 mg kg⁻¹) significantly accelerated wound healing compared to lower AgNP doses and saline.
- AgNP treatment, especially at 0.08 mg kg⁻¹, resulted in improved wound appearance and reduced scarring.
- Healing rates in mice treated with gentamicin and 0.08 mg kg⁻¹ AgNPs were significantly faster (p < 0.001) than other groups.
Conclusions:
- Silver nanoparticles demonstrate significant in vivo efficacy in accelerating the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus-infected skin wounds.
- AgNPs represent a promising therapeutic agent for enhancing wound healing and minimizing scar formation.
- The study highlights the potential of nanosilver as an effective antimicrobial and wound healing accelerator.
