Recombinant R2-pyocin cream is effective in treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected wounds

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant cause of chronic wound infections, often exhibiting multidrug resistance and forming difficult-to-eradicate biofilms.
• The rising cost of antibiotics and increasing resistance necessitate novel therapeutic strategies for P. aeruginosa infections.
• Pyocins, antimicrobial compounds produced by P. aeruginosa, represent a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of synthesized recombinant P. aeruginosa R2 pyocin (rR2P) and its polyethylene glycol formulation (rR2PC) as a topical treatment for P. aeruginosa-infected wounds.
• To assess the activity of rR2P and rR2PC against P. aeruginosa biofilms in vitro.
• To determine the in vivo therapeutic potential of rR2PC in a murine model of infected excision wounds.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and purification of recombinant P. aeruginosa R2 pyocin (rR2P).
• Formulation of rR2P in polyethylene glycol (rR2PC).
• In vitro testing of rR2P and rR2PC against clinical P. aeruginosa isolates and their biofilms.
• In vivo evaluation of rR2PC in a murine model of excision wounds infected with P. aeruginosa.

Main Results:

• Clinical P. aeruginosa strains displayed varying sensitivity to rR2P.
• rR2P inhibited biofilm development in vitro, while rR2PC eliminated pre-formed biofilms.
• Topical application of rR2PC significantly reduced bacterial bioburden in murine wound models.
• rR2PC combined with glycoside hydrolases eradicated P. aeruginosa from infected wounds in vivo.

Conclusions:

• Topical rR2PC is a promising therapeutic agent for chronic wounds infected with R2P-sensitive P. aeruginosa strains.
• The formulation enhances antibiofilm activity and efficacy in vivo.
• Pyocin-based therapies offer a potential alternative to combat multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections.