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Updated: Sep 16, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Transdermal delivery of antibacterial peptides in the management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Shivraj Sangappa Shivpuje1, Durgacharan A Bhagwat2, Pankaj Ashok Jadhav3
1School of Pharmacy, SRTM University, Nanded, Maharashtra, 431606, India.
Abstract:
Bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of major public concern around the globe that arises when bacteria which earlier responded to the antibiotic therapy no longer respond to the same therapy and become resistant. The AMR has emerged due to the antibiotic abuse resulting in the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The conventional antibiotics including vancomycin have nowadays become ineffective due to the gradual evolution and adaptation of bacteria to the surrounding environment. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of MRSA-induced skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). They offer broad-spectrum antibacterial activity with lower probability of drug resistance development. However, these AMPs face limitations such as proteolytic degradation, poor bioavailability, and potential cytotoxicity limiting their efficacy in clinical settings. Transdermal drug delivery platforms, including microneedles (MNs) coupled with the nano-formulations, have been developed to improve the AMP stability, bioavailability, and targeted release to avoid off-target cytotoxicity. Innovative strategies including Janus-type antibacterial dressings, bioresponsive MNs, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-based nanocarriers have shown favorable results against the MRSA-induced skin infection. Numerous naturally occurring and synthetic antibacterial biopeptides and a Food and Drug Administration-approved glycopeptide, vancomycin, exhibited improved biofilm penetration and therapeutic efficacy when combined with smart MNs and nanosystems. Despite these improvements, challenges associated with AMP stability, cytotoxicity, and manufacturing costs still remain that limit its clinical translation. This review discussed the various MN-assisted deliveries of AMPs and associated challenges for the treatment of MRSA infections.
Insights
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promise against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Microneedle (MN) delivery systems enhance AMP efficacy and stability, overcoming limitations for treating MRSA skin infections.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Diseases
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis, with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rendering conventional antibiotics ineffective.
- Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a promising alternative due to their broad-spectrum activity and lower resistance development potential, but face challenges like degradation and poor bioavailability.
- Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by MRSA necessitate novel therapeutic strategies to combat rising antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review microneedle (MN)-assisted delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in treating MRSA infections.
- To highlight innovative strategies enhancing AMP stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery.
- To discuss the challenges and potential of AMPs delivered via MNs for clinical translation against MRSA.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on microneedle (MN) technology and nano-formulations for antimicrobial peptide (AMP) delivery.
- Analysis of innovative strategies such as Janus-type dressings, bioresponsive MNs, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
- Evaluation of studies combining AMPs with MNs and nanosystems for enhanced biofilm penetration and therapeutic efficacy against MRSA.
Main Results:
- Microneedle (MN) platforms coupled with nano-formulations improve AMP stability, bioavailability, and targeted release, mitigating cytotoxicity.
- Innovative approaches like Janus-type dressings, bioresponsive MNs, and MOF-based nanocarriers demonstrate favorable outcomes against MRSA skin infections.
- Combinations of AMPs and vancomycin with smart MNs and nanosystems show enhanced biofilm penetration and therapeutic efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Microneedle (MN)-assisted delivery represents a promising strategy to enhance the clinical utility of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against MRSA infections.
- Despite advancements, challenges in AMP stability, cytotoxicity, and manufacturing costs require further research for successful clinical translation.
- Further development of MN-based delivery systems is crucial for overcoming limitations and realizing the full therapeutic potential of AMPs in combating MRSA.
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