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Updated: Jun 13, 2025
In Vitro Culture of Epithelial Cells from Different Anatomical Regions of the Human Amniotic Membrane
Published on: November 28, 2019
Use of human and animal amniotic membranes in local antibiotic therapy
Agnieszka Klama-Baryła1,2, Anna Sitkowska1,2, Ewa Tomanek1,3
1Stanislaw Sakiel Burn Treatment Centre in Siemianowice Śląskie, Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland.
Objective:
The antibacterial properties of amniotic membranes are the reason for their wide clinical use. Amniotic membrane soaked in antibiotics can be used in local antibiotic therapy, creating new options for the treatment of infections. The aim of this study was to analyse the inhibiting effect of both human and porcine amniotic membranes soaked in antibiotics on the growth of microorganisms.
Method:
Human and porcine placentas were collected during natural births, under aseptic conditions. Each amnion was divided into three parts: intravital; cryopreserved; and radio-sterilised. Discs of 8mm in diameter were cut from the amniotic membrane. The discs were incubated in antibiotics (gentamicin, neomycin sulfate and colistin) for three hours and then subjected to microbiological tests to assess the inhibition of bacterial growth. The inhibiting effect on microorganisms-Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae- were examined.
Results:
The findings of the study showed that porcine amniotic membrane was as effective in carrying antibiotics as human amnion. The ability of cryopreserved or radio-sterilised amniotic membrane to inhibit the growth of microorganisms was not reduced compared to that of fresh amnion. There was a statistically significant difference in the studied groups. The highest growth inhibition efficacy was noted for Escherichia coli, meticilin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii-sensitive extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. The highest mean zones of growth inhibition were obtained for gentamicin and neomycin sulfate.
Conclusion:
This study revealed that both human and porcine amniotic membranes can be used in carrying antibiotics. Differently prepared amniotic membrane can be successfully used in microorganism inhibition.
Insights
Both human and porcine amniotic membranes effectively carry antibiotics for local therapy. Different preparations of amniotic membranes, including cryopreserved and radio-sterilized, show significant antimicrobial properties against various bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Amniotic membranes possess inherent antibacterial properties, leading to their extensive clinical applications.
- Local antibiotic therapy using antibiotic-loaded amniotic membranes offers novel treatment strategies for infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of human and porcine amniotic membranes in carrying and releasing antibiotics.
- To assess the antimicrobial activity of differently prepared amniotic membranes (intravital, cryopreserved, radio-sterilized) against key pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Human and porcine amniotic membranes were collected and prepared as intravital, cryopreserved, or radio-sterilized samples.
- Membrane discs were incubated with gentamicin, neomycin sulfate, and colistin.
- Microbiological tests were performed to measure the zones of inhibition against *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, *Acinetobacter baumannii*, *Escherichia coli*, and *Klebsiella pneumoniae*.
Main Results:
- Porcine amniotic membrane demonstrated comparable antibiotic-carrying capacity to human amniotic membrane.
- Cryopreserved and radio-sterilized amniotic membranes retained their antimicrobial efficacy.
- Significant growth inhibition was observed, particularly against *Escherichia coli*, methicillin-sensitive *Staphylococcus aureus*, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing *Acinetobacter baumannii*.
- Gentamicin and neomycin sulfate yielded the largest zones of growth inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Both human and porcine amniotic membranes are suitable carriers for antibiotic delivery in local therapy.
- Various preparation methods for amniotic membranes do not compromise their effectiveness in inhibiting microbial growth.
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