Simultaneous Delivery of Multiple Antimicrobial Agents by Biphasic Scaffolds for Effective Treatment of Wound Biofilms

Abstract

Biofilms pose a major challenge to control wound‐associated infections. Due to biofilm impenetrability, traditional antimicrobial agents are often ineffective in combating biofilms. Herein, a biphasic scaffold is reported as an antimicrobial delivery system by integrating nanofiber mats with dissolvable microneedle arrays for the effective treatment of bacterial biofilms. Different combinations of antimicrobial agents, including AgNO3, Ga(NO3)3, and vancomycin, are incorporated into nanofiber mats by coaxial electrospinning, which enables sustained delivery of these drugs. The antimicrobial agents‐incorporated dissolvable microneedle arrays allow direct penetration of drugs into biofilms. By optimizing the administration strategies, drug combinations, and microneedle densities, biphasic scaffolds are able to eradicate both methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and MRSA/Pseudomonas aeruginosa blend biofilms in an ex vivo human skin wound infection model without necessitating surgical debridement. Taken together, the combinatorial system comprises of nanofiber mats and microneedle arrays can provide an efficacious delivery of multiple antimicrobial agents for the treatment of bacterial biofilms in wounds.

Advances in the Sensing and Treatment of Wound Biofilms

“…Su et al. [186] developed a biphasic scaffold as an antimicrobial delivery system by combining nanofiber mats and dissolvable microneedle arrays. A variety of antimicrobial agents, including AgNO 3 , Ga(NO 3 ) 3 , and vancomycin, were electrospun into nanofiber mats, which allowed for sustained delivery.…”

Biofilms: Formation, Research Models, Potential Targets, and Methods for Prevention and Treatment

“…Thus, Su et al attempted to incorporate multiple antimicrobial agents (e.g., AgNO 3 , Ga(NO 3 ) 3 , and vancomycin) that target bacteria with different modes of action into a biphasic dressing similar to the above‐described comprising of water‐soluble microneedle arrays and electrospun nanofiber membranes for effective treatment of biofilms. [ 354 ] The dressings can remove both MRSA and MRSA/ P. aeruginosa blend biofilms formed in ex vivo human skin wounds without using debridement. These studies were primarily focused on the treatment of biofilms in wounds.…”

Advances in the Sensing and Treatment of Wound Biofilms

“…The flexible microneedle array improves the effectiveness of topical oxygenation as well as the treatment of wounds infected with intrinsically antibiotic‐resistant biofilms. Su et al [186] . developed a biphasic scaffold as an antimicrobial delivery system by combining nanofiber mats and dissolvable microneedle arrays.…”

“…Thef lexible microneedle array improves the effectiveness of topical oxygenation as well as the treatment of wounds infected with intrinsically antibiotic-resistant biofilms.S ue tal. [186] developed ab iphasic scaffold as an antimicrobial delivery system by combining nanofiber mats and dissolvable microneedle arrays.Avariety of antimicrobial agents,i ncluding AgNO 3 ,G a(NO 3 ) 3 ,a nd vancomycin, were electrospun into nanofiber mats,which allowed for sustained delivery.Integrated antimicrobial agents provide direct access to drugs within biofilms through dissolvable microneedle arrays.C ombining nanofiber mats with microneedle arrays can deliver multiple antimicrobial agents to wound sites effectively with ac ombination of nanofiber mats and microneedles.…”