Phage-antibiotic synergistic effect for treating cutaneous wounds infections caused by MRSA and the assessment of wound healing biomarkers in a rabbit model.

ABSTRACT: Antibiotic-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant challenge in managing wound infections. Bacteriophage therapy has emerged as a promising alternative or adjunct to traditional antibiotics. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of a temperate, uncharacterized phage preparation induced from the S. aureus reference strain ATCC 25,923 using mitomycin C (MitC) for topical treatment of superficial MRSA-infected wounds in a rabbit model, both alone and combined with vancomycin. Key wound healing markers (collagen 1, MMP1, PDGF, FGF2) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) were assessed alongside immunohistochemical analysis of IL-6 and TNF-α expression. The induced lysogenic phage demonstrated lytic activity against MRSA, resulting in a

SUBMITTER: Samir S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12905222 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature