Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
A Novel High-Throughput Ex Vivo Ovine Skin Wound Model for Testing Emerging Antibiotics
Published on: September 16, 2022
A standardized wound infection model for antimicrobial testing of wound dressings in vitro
Cornelia Wiegand1, Sarah Fink1, Diana C Mogrovejo2
1Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
To investigate the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents against wound infections, experiments using either 2D cultures with planktonic microorganisms or animal infection models are frequently carried out. However, the transferability of the results to human skin is limited by the lack of complexity of the 2D models or by the poor translation of the results from animal models. Hence, there is a need for wound infection models capable of assessing antimicrobial agents. In this study, an easily standardized wound infection model was established. This model consists of a mechanically wounded human skin model on a collagen matrix infected with various clinically relevant bacteria. Infection of the model led to recognition of the pathogens and induction of an inflammatory response. The untreated infection spread over time, causing significant tissue damage. By applying an antimicrobial-releasing wound dressing, the bacterial load could be reduced and the success of the treatment could be further measured by a decrease in the inflammatory reaction. In conclusion, this wound infection model can be used to evaluate new antimicrobial therapeutics as well as to study host-pathogen interactions.
Insights
A novel human skin wound infection model effectively evaluates antimicrobial treatments. This model, using bacteria on a collagen matrix, shows reduced infection and inflammation when treated with antimicrobial dressings.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Current 2D cultures and animal models have limited relevance to human skin wound infections.
- There is a critical need for more accurate models to test antimicrobial agents.
- Assessing antimicrobial efficacy requires models that mimic human physiology and infection dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a standardized, mechanically wounded human skin model for infection studies.
- To assess the model's ability to replicate bacterial infection and host inflammatory responses.
- To demonstrate the utility of the model in evaluating antimicrobial therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- A mechanically wounded human skin explant model was created on a collagen matrix.
- Clinically relevant bacteria were used to infect the wounded skin model.
- The model was treated with an antimicrobial-releasing wound dressing to assess therapeutic effects.
- Bacterial load and inflammatory response were quantified to measure treatment success.
Main Results:
- The model successfully simulated bacterial infection, pathogen recognition, and inflammatory responses.
- Untreated infections progressed, leading to significant tissue damage over time.
- Antimicrobial dressing application reduced bacterial burden and decreased inflammatory markers.
- The model demonstrated clear differences in treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The developed human skin wound infection model is a viable tool for evaluating antimicrobial therapeutics.
- This model offers improved translatability compared to traditional 2D or animal models.
- It provides a platform for studying host-pathogen interactions in a relevant context.
