Introduction Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to promote wound healing and to exhibit antimicrobial properties against a broad range of bacteria. In our previous study, we prepared tannic acid (TA)-modified AgNPs showing a good toxicological profile and immunomodulatory properties useful for potential dermal applications. Methods In this study, in vitro scratch assay, antimicrobial tests, modified lymph node assay as well as a mouse splint wound model were used to access the wound healing potential of TA-modified and unmodified AgNPs. Results TA-modified but not unmodified AgNPs exhibited effective antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and stimulated migration of keratinocytes in vitro. The tests using the mouse splint wound model showed that TA-modified 33 and 46 nm AgNPs promoted better wound closure, epithelialization, angiogenesis and formation of the granulation tissue. Additionally, AgNPs elicited expression of VEGF-α, PDGF-β and TGF-β1 cytokines involved in wound healing more efficiently in comparison to control and TA-treated wounds. However, both the lymph node assay and the wound model showed that TA-modified AgNPs sized 13 nm can elicit strong inflammatory response not only during wound healing but also when applied to the damaged skin. Conclusion TA-modified AgNPs sized >26 nm promote wound healing better than TA-modified or unmodified AgNPs. These findings suggest that TA-modified AgNPs sized >26 nm may have a promising application in wound management.

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In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in erythromycin resistance in the first resistant Campylobacter strains isolated from chicken meat in Poland, and analyzed their genetic relatedness. A total of 297 samples of raw chicken meat and giblets from retail trade in the Warsaw area collected between 2006 and 2009 were examined. Among 211 Campylobacter strains (52 C. jejuni and 159 C. coli), 10 C. coli isolates (4.7%) were resistant to erythromycin. All the C. jejuni strains were susceptible. Among the high-level macrolide-resistant isolates, two different point mutations within the domain V of the 23S rRNA gene were observed. Eight of the strains had adenine→guanine transitions at position 2075, two other isolates at position 2074. Sequence analysis of ribosomal proteins L4 (rplD) and L22 (rplV) indicated that ribosomal protein modifications did not contribute to macrolide resistance. A mutation in the inverted repeat in the cmeR and cmeABC intergenic region was found in a single resistant strain. The genetic relatedness of Campylobacter isolates showed that two resistant strains obtained from the same production plant in a 2-month interval were genetically identical. The risk of transmission of resistant strains via the food chain highlights the need for constant monitoring of resistance in Campylobacter isolates of human and animal hosts.

Investigation of antimicrobial resistance and genetic relatedness of staphylococci from milk of cows with mastitis and cowshed environment was the aim of this study. Antimicrobial resistance against 14 antimicrobials were determined by using a disc diffusion method. Genetic similarity between the most frequently isolated species was analysed by PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). Haemolytic activity, DNase, protease and esterase production was also investigated. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species were isolated from 30.8% of milk samples from cows with mastitis. The most frequently isolated species was Staphylococcus xylosus and yield of these organisms was significantly associated with milk of mastitis cows. S. epidermidis was a predominant penicillin-resistant species. High frequency of resistance to lincomycin was observed among isolates of S. sciuri (54.2%) and S. xylosus (25.9%) from cows with mastitis. PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) analysis of 29 Staphylococcus aureus isolates showed the presence of 17 PFGE pulsotypes. Isolates of S. sciuri (n=36) had unique PFGE patterns. Some S. xylosus isolates from milk and milker's hands had the same PFGE pulsotypes, and this observation could indicate that dairyman may be a potential source of the infection. The pulsotype of each of the remaining isolates of S. xylosus suggested that they might have come from common environmental sources; however, these isolates differed in antibiotic resistance pattern or virulence traits. Therefore, knowledge about antibiotic sensitivity pattern and virulence factors of a CNS isolate, besides its genotype, may be informative in tracking the source of the infection.