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Updated: Jun 10, 2025
Evaluating the Immune Response of a Nanoemulsion Adjuvant Vaccine Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA Infection
Published on: September 1, 2023
Nanoemulsion is an effective antimicrobial for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in infected swine skin
Zhengyi Cao1, Jesse Chen1, Jayme Cannon1
1Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Abstract:
Burns are one of the most common injuries in both civilian and combat settings and are difficult to treat. This is particularly true when the wounds are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A new generation of safe, broadly effective, and easily applied anti-infection agents is needed to successfully prevent and treat infections. Nanoemulsions (NEs) are nanometer-sized particles with a positively charged surfactant at their oil-water interface. In the current study, we further investigated antimicrobial NEs as a treatment to address burn wounds infected by MRSA. Specifically, using a porcine skin model, we infected partial thickness thermal burn wounds with MRSA and then treated it with the nanoemulsion formulation (NB-201) or placebo controls. Bacterial viability after treatment was determined, and inflammation indexes in wounds were scored by histopathology. Topical treatment of infected wounds with NB-201 resulted in reduced colony-forming units (CFUs) compared to placebo treatment. In addition, NB-201 was effective in significantly alleviating inflammation in the treated wounds and promoting wound healing. These results indicate that NB-201 is a promising new agent to treat skin burn wounds infected with MRSA.
Importance:
The findings of this study are focused on therapeutic applications of nanotechnology. In the current study, we demonstrated that a nanoemulsion formulation could effectively kill methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in porcine skin burn wounds. Infection of MRSA in burn wound is a common threat to public health and is usually difficult to treat due to limited therapies available. NB-201 was effective in significantly alleviating inflammation in the treated wounds and promoting wound healing. Therefore, the finding of this study has a great potential to make this formulation a novel antimicrobial agent against MRSA.
Insights
A new nanoemulsion formulation, NB-201, effectively treated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) burn wound infections in a porcine model. NB-201 reduced bacterial load, inflammation, and promoted healing, offering a promising antimicrobial treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology applications in medicine
- Antimicrobial drug development
- Wound healing research
Background:
- Burns are common injuries, often complicated by antibiotic-resistant infections like MRSA.
- Current treatments for MRSA-infected burns are limited.
- Nanoemulsions (NEs) show potential as antimicrobial agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a nanoemulsion formulation (NB-201) against MRSA-infected burn wounds.
- To evaluate NB-201's impact on bacterial viability, inflammation, and wound healing.
- To assess NB-201 as a novel therapeutic for MRSA infections.
Main Methods:
- Porcine skin model used to create partial thickness thermal burn wounds.
- Wounds were infected with MRSA and treated with NB-201 or placebo.
- Bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) were quantified post-treatment.
- Histopathological analysis assessed inflammation and wound healing.
Main Results:
- Topical NB-201 treatment significantly reduced MRSA CFUs compared to placebo.
- NB-201 effectively alleviated inflammation in the burn wounds.
- The nanoemulsion formulation promoted wound healing.
Conclusions:
- NB-201 demonstrates significant antimicrobial activity against MRSA in burn wounds.
- NB-201 is a promising agent for treating MRSA-infected skin injuries.
- This nanoemulsion offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for challenging infections.
