Abstract

The development of new antibiotics has stalled, and novel strategies are needed as we enter the age of antibiotic resistance. Certain naturally occurring clays have been shown to be effective in killing antibiotic resistant bacteria. However, these natural clays are too variable to be used in clinical settings. Our study shows that synthetic antibacterial minerals exhibit potent antibacterial activity against topical MRSA infections and increase the rate of wound closure relative to controls. The antibacterial minerals maintain a redox cycle between Fe2+/Fe3+ and the surfaces of pyrite minerals, which act as a semiconductor and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), while smectite minerals act as a cation exchange reservoir. Acidic conditions are maintained throughout the application of the hydrated minerals and can mitigate the alkaline pH conditions observed in chronic non-healing wounds. These results provide evidence for the strategy of ‘iron overload’ to combat antibiotic resistant infections through the maintained release of Fe2+ and generation of ROS via distinct geochemical reactions that can break the chronic wound damage cycle.

Details

Title
The application of synthetic antibacterial minerals to combat topical infections: exploring a mouse model of MRSA infection
Author
Morrison, Keith D. 1 ; Reiss, Meghan B. 2 ; Tanner, Tanya D. 2 ; Gollott, Travis R. 2 ; Loots, Gabriela G. 3 ; Collette, Nicole M. 2 

 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division, Physical and Life Sciences, Livermore, USA (GRID:grid.250008.f) (ISNI:0000 0001 2160 9702) 
 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Physical and Life Sciences, Livermore, USA (GRID:grid.250008.f) (ISNI:0000 0001 2160 9702) 
 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Physical and Life Sciences, Livermore, USA (GRID:grid.250008.f) (ISNI:0000 0001 2160 9702); University of California Davis Health, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sacramento, USA (GRID:grid.27860.3b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9684) 
Pages
1762
Publication year
2024
Publication date
2024
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2916553549
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2024. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.