Phage-delivering injectable gum Karaya-based hydrogel for the treatment of S. aureus infections

abstract

English

Increasing bacterial resistance causes a threat to the healthcare system and millions of people worldwide since multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) with resistance to conventional antibiotics have become more frequent in infected wounds. An alternative mindset must be exploited to overcome such a threat. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is one of the many options for battling resistant bacteria. This work focuses on developing and preparing gum Karaya-based injectable hydrogels in various concentrations (3 – 3,5 wt.%) that ensure phages biostability during the application, storage, and optimal environment for moist wound healing. GK hydrogel was enriched with polyvalent phage that targets S. aureus strains. The biostability of this advanced material was tested and proved phage activity and antibacterial properties against MRSA. This hydrogel was also tested in terms of morphology, phage visualization, and physiochemical properties (water sorption, hydrogel degradation), where samples remained stable over a month. Based on the results, injectable GK-based hydrogels can become a suitable carrier for phages with long-term storage stability and subsequent application on S. aureus infected wounds while supporting the wound healing process.

Phage, hydrogel, injectable, gum Karaya, polysaccharide. antibacterial, biostable, wound healing

ČERNÁ, E.; VOJTOVÁ, L.; KOMÁRKOVÁ, M.; PANTŮČEK, R.; PLEVKA, P.; BRTNÍKOVÁ, J.

8. 9. 2023

Material Research Society of Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia

978-86-919111-8-8

THE TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE YUCOMAT 2023 Program and Book of Abstracts

72

72

1