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Updated: Jun 1, 2025
A Novel Method to Determine the Longitudinal Antibacterial Activity of Drug-Eluting Materials
Published on: March 3, 2023
Injectable vancomycin loaded hyaluronic acid-chitosan hydrogel for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus septic
K Kumaran1, Anil Kumar Vasudevan2, R Jayakumar1
1School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, 682041, India.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a Gram positive opportunistic pathogen and a major cause for bacterial septic arthritis. Vancomycin is the preferred antibiotic for the treatment of methicillin resistance S. aureus septic arthritis. Patients undergoing vancomycin treatment need to be hospitalized and their serum vancomycin level should be monitored, as increase in vancomycin concentration in serum may lead to hepatotoxicity. To overcome vancomycin mediated cytotoxicity, we have prepared a local injectable delivery system by incorporating vancomycin into hyaluronic acid (HA)-chitosan (van-HA-chitosan) hydrogel. The prepared van-HA-chitosan hydrogel was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and rheometer. The van-HA-chitosan hydrogel is injectable, has shear thinning behaviour; and is hemo- and cyto-compatible. In vitro drug release assay showed that 95 % of vancomycin was released from the hydrogel in 8 days. Under in vitro conditions the load of S. aureus decreased from 6.4 Log10 CFU/ml to 3.5 Log10 CFU/ml when treated with van-HA-chitosan hydrogel for 6 h. Significant decrease in bacterial counts was observed when S. aureus infected synovial fluid and bone samples were treated with van-HA-chitosan hydrogel. Our results suggest that the prepared van-HA-chitosan could be used for the treatment of septic arthritis caused by S. aureus.
Insights
A new injectable hydrogel containing vancomycin (van-HA-chitosan) offers a promising local treatment for Staphylococcus aureus septic arthritis, reducing bacterial load and avoiding systemic toxicity associated with oral vancomycin.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of septic arthritis.
- Vancomycin is the primary antibiotic for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections.
- Systemic vancomycin requires hospitalization and monitoring due to potential hepatotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable vancomycin-loaded hyaluronic acid-chitosan hydrogel (van-HA-chitosan).
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of van-HA-chitosan for treating S. aureus septic arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Vancomycin was incorporated into a hyaluronic acid-chitosan hydrogel.
- The hydrogel's injectability, rheological properties, and biocompatibility were assessed.
- In vitro drug release kinetics and antibacterial activity against S. aureus were determined.
Main Results:
- The van-HA-chitosan hydrogel demonstrated injectability, shear-thinning behavior, and hemocompatibility.
- In vitro studies showed sustained vancomycin release over 8 days.
- The hydrogel significantly reduced S. aureus bacterial counts in vitro and in infected synovial fluid and bone samples.
Conclusions:
- The van-HA-chitosan hydrogel is a safe and effective local delivery system for vancomycin.
- This novel hydrogel shows potential for treating septic arthritis caused by S. aureus, mitigating systemic drug toxicity.
