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Does skin have antimicrobial properties? An in-vitro experiment and literature review
Abstract:
Skin grafts placed over burn wounds were first reported to reduce bacterial growth levels about 20 years ago. Recently, three separate groups of investigators have studied effects of skin in vitro in order to better understand the mechanism of this in vivo phenomenon. Although significant bacterial inhibition was not found, the interaction of host tissue factors with the skin which is possible in vivo was not included in these experiments. Hence, the question of in vitro activity of skin was still not resolved. In this experiment human and pig skin, fresh and preserved, intact and homogenated, were all tested separately with and without active serum against four representative bacteria and one fungus, individually and in mixed cultures. No growth inhibition was observed under any circumstances on daily review for up to three-week periods. In light of conflicting reports related to antibacterial effects of skin grafts used clinically, it now seems important to definitively clarify whether skin really possesses antibacterial properties in vivo.
Insights
This study investigated the antibacterial properties of skin. Researchers found no evidence of antibacterial activity in human or pig skin, challenging previous clinical observations.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Wound Healing
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Skin grafts are clinically observed to reduce bacterial growth on burn wounds.
- Previous in vitro studies have not conclusively resolved whether skin possesses intrinsic antibacterial properties.
- The role of host tissue interactions in the in vivo phenomenon remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of human and pig skin.
- To determine if skin possesses inherent antimicrobial properties against common pathogens.
- To clarify conflicting reports on the antibacterial effects of skin grafts.
Main Methods:
- Tested fresh and preserved, intact and homogenized human and pig skin.
- Exposed skin samples to four representative bacteria and one fungus, individually and in mixed cultures.
- Included experiments with and without active serum to mimic in vivo conditions.
Main Results:
- No significant bacterial or fungal growth inhibition was observed under any tested conditions.
- Daily reviews over three-week periods showed no antimicrobial effect from the skin samples.
- Results indicate a lack of in vitro antibacterial activity of skin.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence that skin possesses intrinsic antibacterial properties in vitro.
- Clinical observations of reduced bacterial growth with skin grafts may be due to factors other than direct skin antimicrobial activity.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind the clinical success of skin grafts in managing burn wound infections.