Silver Nanozeolite-Loaded Skin Sealants Combat Surgical Site Infection in Diabetic and Obese Mice

Diabetic patients are highly susceptible to surgical site infections, with Staphylococcus aureus being a major nosocomial causative agent. Dehiscence, inflammation, and scarring can complicate outcomes with conventional wound approximation and closure devices. To overcome these challenges, we leveraged the antibacterial properties of silver ion-exchanged nanostructured zeolites (AgNZeo) embedded within silk fibroin-based laser-activated sealant (LASE) films containing silver nanoprisms (AgNPr). AgNPr enabled efficient absorption of near-infrared (NIR) light, resulting in photothermal conversion of this energy and sealing of full-thickness incisional wounds in mice. AgNZeo-LASE films showed excellent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria in in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility assays. AgNZeo-LASE films, upon laser irradiation, were able to seal incisional wounds in diabetic and obese mice, and protected against surgical site MRSA infections, demonstrating performance comparable to commercial antibacterial sutures. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated similar neutrophil recruitment and macrophage polarization with AgNZeo-LASE compared to suture controls. Our results support the use of silver ion-loaded nanozeolites as effective antibacterial agents and suggest that AgNZeo-LASE films may be useful for topical infection control.