Nanomedical approach for the management of chronic wound biofilm infection

ANA PAULA PEREZ

Congreso; Reunion conjunta SAIC.SAI.SAFIS 2018; 2018

Chronic wounds are those do not progress through the healing process successfully and pathophysiology is not yet completely understood. However, altered vascularisation, prolonged inflammation and the inability of immune cells to control bacterial infection are critical challenges that interfere in the physiologic healing of chronic wounds. This environment is propitious for bacterial growth and biofilm formation that further intensifies inflammation, inhibiting tissue repair. For that reason, recurrent surgical procedures (wound debridement or tissue amputation) are needed to avoid life-threatening complications in patients. The lack of antibiotic efficacy against mature biofilms is attributed to restricted drug accessibility, their predominant mechanism of action in targeting metabolically active bacteria and the increase of antibiotic resistance in biofilm cells. The cost and complexity of treating chronic wound biofilms infections remain a serious challenge that require the development of new approaches for effective anti-biofilm treatment. Antimicrobial agents delivery by lipid or polymer nanoparticles is considered a promising strategy for overcoming biofilm resistance. In this sense, lipid nanovesicles are attractive due to their biocompatibility and ability to incorporate lipophilic as well as hydrophilic drugs. Lipid nanovesicles could protect the antimicrobial agent from binding to matrix material and enzymatic inactivation, penetrate the matrix of the biofilm and remain there releasing the antimicrobial agent in high doses in the proximity of bacteria. However, the poor stability of lipid nanovesicles is a drawback for adequate biofilm eradication. We have previously reported that the presence of Halorubrum tebenquichense archaeolipid in lipid nanovesicles increased their colloidal and chemical stability. In the current work we demonstrated that archaeolipid nanovesicles that encapsulated a natural antimicrobial agent, improved anti-biofilm activity.