Site-Specific Antibacterial Strategy for Multi-Pathway Treatment of Drug-Resistant Skin Infections.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Drug-resistant skin infections, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pose a significant public health challenge.
• Limited efficacy of conventional antibiotics and bacterial tolerance within biofilms exacerbate treatment difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a site-specific, multi-pathway microneedle (MN) patch system for treating MRSA-infected wounds and abscesses.
• To integrate antibiotic therapy with phototherapy for enhanced antibacterial efficacy and reduced resistance development.

Main Methods:

• A microneedle patch co-delivering vancomycin and photoactive black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) encapsulated in macrophage membrane-coated cationic liposomes was designed.
• The system was tested in vivo for its ability to treat MRSA-infected wounds and abscesses, assessing wound closure, abscess size, inflammation, and tissue regeneration.

Main Results:

• The MN patch demonstrated efficient skin penetration and targeted drug delivery, integrating vancomycin with BPQD-mediated phototherapy (hyperthermia and reactive oxygen species).
• In vivo studies showed significant acceleration of wound closure, reduction in abscess size, suppression of inflammation, and promotion of tissue regeneration.
• The multi-pathway approach effectively combatted MDR bacteria and remodeled the infectious microenvironment.

Conclusions:

• The developed microneedle patch system offers a promising localized therapeutic platform for combating drug-resistant skin infections.
• This multi-pathway strategy, combining antibiotic and phototherapy, shows potential for overcoming bacterial resistance and facilitating effective wound healing.