ABROGATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS WOUND INFECTION BY BACTERIOPHAGE IN DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

To evaluate therapeutic potential of phages specific for Staphylococcus aureus to resolve wound infection in diabetic rats. The objective of the study is for the assessment of wound healing activity, excision wound model was used. Group I was assigned as control, Group II infected with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Group III non infected and received only phage preparation to assess whether phage initiates infection, Group IV infected with MRSA, once the infection was established it was challenged with Staphylococcus aureus phages and Group V infected MRSA and treated with antibiotic Clindamycin after 4th day of infection. A significant decrease in infection, period of epithelization and wound contraction was observed in the phage challenged group when compared to antibiotic treated diabetic rats and the control group. To conclude the study provide new insights into the biology of the broad host range of Staphylococcus aureus phage Ø SH-56 and indicate that phage has potential for treatment and prevention of infections caused by pathogenic staphylococci.