Next Science Wound Gel Technology, a Novel Agent That Inhibits Biofilm Development by Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Wound Pathogens

Abstract

e Loss of the skin barrier facilitates the colonization of underlying tissues with various bacteria, where they form biofilms that protect them from antibiotics and host responses. Such wounds then become chronically infected. Topical antimicrobials are a major component of chronic wound therapy, yet currently available topical antimicrobials vary in their effectiveness on biofilmforming pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Next Science wound gel technology (NxtSc), a novel topical agent designed to kill planktonic bacteria, penetrate biofilms, and kill the bacteria within. In vitro quantitative analysis, using strains isolated from wounds, showed that NxtSc inhibited biofilm development by Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae by inhibiting bacterial growth. The gel formulation NxtSc-G5, when applied to biofilms preformed by these pathogens, reduced the numbers of bacteria present by 7 to 8 log 10 CFU/disc or CFU/g. In vivo, NxtSc-G5 prevented biofilm formation for 72 h when applied at the time of wounding and infection and eliminated biofilm infection when applied 24 h after wounding and infection. Storage of NxtSc-G5 at room temperature for 9 months did not diminish its efficacy. These results establish that NxtSc is efficacious in vitro and in vivo in preventing infection and biofilm development by different wound pathogens when applied immediately and in eliminating biofilm infection already established by these pathogens. This novel antimicrobial agent, which is nontoxic and has a usefully long shelf life, shows promise as an effective agent for the prevention and treatment of biofilm-related infections.

Next-Science: A Novel Antimicrobial Agent that Inhibits Biofilm Development by Escherichia coli Clinical Isolates on Urinary Tract Catheters

“…However, as we previously demonstrated through in vitro and in vivo biofilm analyses NS is unique in that it contains both activities [11]. Therefore, in future experiments we would develop partial biofilms on both sides of the catheter and then treat the infected catheter with NS.…”

“…We recently described Next Science (NS), a novel antimicrobial agent that destroys the biofilm and eliminates individual the bacteria within it. NS gel prevented wound infection by different wound pathogens [11]. In addition, NS-treated tympanostomy tubes inhibited biofilm development by middle ear pathogens [12].…”

“…Next-Science is a proprietary agent (PCT/US2012/059263) (Next Science, Jacksonville, FL) that was designed to eliminate biofilms by destabilizing the EPS matrix through chelation of calcium and to kill bacterial pathogens by removing proteins from bacterial membranes leading to cell lysis [11]. Next Science (NS) was obtained in an aqueous solution at a stock concentration of 1.3 mg/mL and was further diluted in phosphate buffered saline (PBS).…”

Organo-Selenium-Containing Polyester Bandage Inhibits Bacterial Biofilm Growth on the Bandage and in the Wound

“…The Methicillin-resistant S. aureus and S. epidermidis clinical isolates were obtained from leg wounds or abscess wounds from the Clinical lab at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center under an approved Institutional Review Board protocol of the Texas Tech University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. Staphylococcus aureus Lux Xen29 was also used, a strain with a plasmid containing a gene that codes for the luciferase protein [12]. To maintain the plasmid, the strain was grown in the presence of 40 µg/mL kanamycin.…”

“…This strain was available at our lab at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Lux Xen5 strain was available at our lab at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center [12]. Finally, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ATCC ® 53199™ was available at our lab at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.…”