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The Future of Wound Care-What if antibiotic resistant infected wounds could be successfully treated with just a band-aid?

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Article: Hydrogel Wound Treatment Kills Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
Source: Megagadget.com
Author: Conn Hastings, PhD

Author Affiliations: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Innovation creator: Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

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May 13, 2021

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Antibiotic resistant wound infections are a big deal in and out of hospital settings. The ever expanding concern has even been referred to as a future dystopian crisis (Hastings, 2021). Resistant wound infections are a growing financial and physical burden on the healthcare system and the patient. Significant levels of pain, suffering and death are seen each year due to the immense difficulty in treatment. Without future developments to treat the ever increasing concern, even simple surgical procedures procure more risk from hospital acquired resistant wound infections. With this in mind, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a hydrogel dressing composed of naturally occurring immune system antimicrobial peptides that can be placed directly on a wound. “With these types of peptides, there is a very low risk for bacteria to develop resistance against them, since they only affect the outermost membrane of the bacteria. That is perhaps the foremost reason why they are so interesting to work with,” said Martin Andersson, a researcher involved in the study(Hastings, 2021). The protective hydrogel coating in the dressing binds the polypeptides together and makes them more resistant to breakdown and degradation from blood contact and assists in maintaining antimicrobial efficacy. “The material is very promising. It is harmless to the body’s own cells and gentle on the skin. In our measurements, the protective effect of the hydrogel on the antimicrobial peptides is clear – the peptides degrade much slower when they are bound to it,” said Edvin Blomstrand, another researcher involved in the study(Hastings, 2021). A spinoff company is in development for commercialized use.

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Website:  Hydrogel Wound Treatment Kills Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria | Medgadget

MAY 13TH, 2021  CONN HASTINGS MATERIALS, MEDICINE, MILITARY MEDICINE, SURGERY

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Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed an antibacterial hydrogel that can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The material is conceived as a wound dressing, and is composed of antimicrobial peptides which are naturally produced by the immune system. The gel binds the peptides together and protects them, yet allows them to still kill bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing crisis. Infections caused by resistant bacteria can be extremely difficult to treat and cause significant levels of suffering and death each year. If new treatments and technologies are not developed in time, then even undergoing routine surgery could become an unacceptably risky prospect without the means to prevent or treat post-operative infections.

To prevent this dystopian future, researchers are turning to new materials and techniques to kill these bacteria. The new hydrogel is a prime example.

"With these types of peptides, there is a very low risk for bacteria to develop resistance against them, since they only affect the outermost membrane of the bacteria. That is perhaps the foremost reason why they are so interesting to work with," said Martin Andersson, a researcher involved in the study.

While the peptides are highly effective, they are also quite delicate and rapidly degrade when they come into contact with blood. This has been a major limiting factor for researchers who hope to use them as an antibacterial treatment. However, the Swedish researchers have discovered a way to protect the peptides while still maintaining their efficacy.

They bound the peptides within a protective hydrogel, meaning that they degrade much more slowly, and the resulting hydrogel is highly suited as a topical treatment for wounds. "The material is very promising. It is harmless to the body's own cells and gentle on the skin. In our measurements, the protective effect of the hydrogel on the antimicrobial peptides is clear - the peptides degrade much slower when they are bound to it," said Edvin Blomstrand, another researcher involved in the study.

The researchers have developed a spin off company called Amferia AB which is working on commercializing the technology.

Study in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering: Antimicrobial Peptide-Functionalized Mesoporous Hydrogels

Flashback: Hydrogel Scaffold With Self-Forming Fibers Highly Effective for Burn Wounds

Via: Chalmers University of Technology

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Hydrogel Wound Treatment Kills Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

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Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed an antibacterial hydrogel that can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The material is conceived as a wound dressing, and is composed of antimicrobial peptides which are naturally produced by the immune system. The gel binds the peptides together and protects them, yet allows them to still kill bacteria.

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-simple dressing concept, ease of use
-hydrogel protects the delicate polypeptides while still allowing them to work
-low risk for bacteria resistance
-harmless to skin and body cells

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-polypeptides are delicate when exposed to blood
-still carries a risk for antibiotic resistance
-cost factor for development and use not discussed in article

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Although much more sophisticated than a simple band-aid, the concept is very similar.  This type of dressing treatment for antibiotic resistant wounds could be used in or out of the hospital setting by a provider or patient.  The cost savings and treatment burden placed on the patient and healthcare system from these type of infections could potentially be greatly decreased.  Antibiotic resistance is a scary and rapidly growing concern worldwide and the technology being developed using the body's own natural cellular immunity and immune function cells is encouraging and exciting.

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1. Harmony-seeks agreement and consensus, facilitator and asks questions to understand
2. Consistency-treats everyone the same, fairness, clear rules, problem solver, policy maker
3.Responsibility-committed, honest, loyal, accountable, takes on too much
4. Relator-strong relationships, goal oriented, caring and trusting
5. Context-refers to history as a way to understand the present

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1.   Alice-Achiever, she will work hard and has stamina.  This will motivate the rest of the team.  She will be a driving force to accomplish goals.
2.Abraham-Arranger is valuable for organizational skills to achieve maximum productivity.
3.Carter-Communication is important to the team for presentations and speaking engagements to present the project.
4.Daniel-Discilpline is vital for keeping the project on track and he will bring accuracy and structure.
5. Faith-Futuristic to keep the project looking forward and seeking improvements for future innovations.

In reflection of my team, I chose a good  variety of influencing, executing, and strategic strengths that will complement and balance my own strengths of strategic thinking, relationship building and executing. Choosing just 5 members for my team was tough because there are so many positive strengths.

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Hastings, C. (2021, May 13), Hydrogel Wound Treatment Kills Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, [retrieved from  Megagadget, October 4, 2021]
Hydrogel Wound Treatment Kills Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria | Medgadget