Chronic wound infections in companion animals, especially dogs and cats, are often associated to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria like Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These wounds create an ideal environment for biofilm formation which protects bacteria from host defenses and conventional antibiotics, making infections persistent and harder to treat. When animals harbor MDR pathogens in chronic wounds, close contact with humans (owners, veterinarians, caregivers) increases the risk of zoonotic transmission. This means resistant bacteria can jump from animals to humans, contributing to the global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This worrying phenomenon strongly underlines the search for new non-antibiotic strategy. Recombinat NK1 protein and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) is an innovative approach to counteract the growth and biofilm formation of S. pseudintermedius and P. aeruginosa. In particular, when NK1 was combined with LEDs, significant CFU/ml reduction, P. aeruginosa swimming/swarming/twitching halos reduction and bacterial anti-biofilm formation action were obtained. This pioneering strategy could reshape how we tackle multidrug-resistant infections, especially those linked to zoonotic transmission. Dive into the full article to discover how biotechnology and phototherapy converge to challenge bacterial resilience.
European Union – Next Generation EU, National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 4 “Education and research” – Component 2 “From research to business” of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). A heparan sulfate proteoglycan binding protein and Light-Emitting Diodes-LEDs/Complex Electromagnetic Fields-CMFs technologies as innovative eco-sustainable strategies to counteract chronic wound infections associated to Staphylococcus pseudintermedius resistant strains: an interdisciplinary approach to animal-human health. P20224AEAC.
Suggested by Dr. Silvia Di Lodovico e Dr. Valeria De Pasquale