The impact of simultaneous inoculation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans on rodent burn wounds. Issue 8 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brandenburg, Kenneth S.; Weaver, Alan J.; Karna, S.L. Rajasekhar; Leung, Kai P.
• Is Part Of: Burns. Volume 47:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1818
• Page End: 1832
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: PTB deep-partial thickness burn -- FTB full-thickness burn -- HMGB-1 high mobility group box-1 -- TBSA total body surface area -- PBS phosphate buffered saline -- TSB Trypticase Soy Broth -- CBC Complete Blood Counts -- DAMPS damage associated molecular patterns -- H&E hematoxylin-eosin -- MPO myeloperoxidase; Pseudomonas aeruginosa -- Staphylococcus aureus -- Candida albicans -- Biofilm -- Damage-associated molecular patterns -- Walker–Mason rat burn model; Burns and scalds -- Periodicals; 617.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2021.02.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-4179

Abstract

Highlights: P. aeruginosa and S. aureus formed biofilms and coexisted in burn wounds. The combined bacterial and host pressure restricted growth of C. albicans . P. aeruginosa and S. aureus caused burn wound depth progression. Abstract: Burn wound infection often involves a diverse combination of bacterial and fungal pathogens. In this study, we characterize the mixed species burn wound infection by inoculating the burn surface with 1 × 10 3/4/5 CFU of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans in a 1:1:1 ratio. Using the revised Walker–Mason scald burn rat model, 168 male Sprague-Dawley rats (350–450 g) subject to ∼10% TBSA burn injury, with or without inoculation, were evaluated for 11 days after burn. In the wound, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus formed robust biofilms as determined by the bacterial tissue load, ∼1 × 10 9 CFU/g, and expression of key biofilm genes. Interestingly, within 3 days C. albicans achieved tissue loads of ∼1 × 10 6 CFU/g, but its numbers were significantly reduced beyond the limit of detection in the burn wound by day 7 in partial-thickness injuries and by day 11 in full-thickness injuries. The pathogenic biofilms contributed to burn depth progression, increased release of HMGB-1 into circulation from injured tissue, and significantly elevated the numbers of circulating innate immune cells (Neutrophils, Monocytes, and Basophils). This robust model of multi-species burn wound infection will serve as the basis for the development of new antimicrobials for combating biofilm-based wound infections.