Patch Promises Fast Healing With Electric Zaps
Researchers have developed an innovative electric bandage that may help treat bacterial infections without antibiotics, as detailed in a recent study. The bandage uses a low-level electric current applied to the skin, which significantly reduces levels of Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common skin bacterium, without drugs. This approach could be especially helpful in treating skin infections and promoting wound healing, particularly for cases involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing global health concern. Professor Bozhi Tian from the University of Chicago, a co-author of the study, highlighted the bandage’s potential for tackling difficult infections without contributing to antibiotic resistance.
The use of electricity in medical treatments is not new; pacemakers, for example, regulate heartbeats, and some implants stimulate vision. However, this study explores how electricity might manage bacteria directly, especially since antibiotic-resistant strains are becoming harder to treat. According to background information in the study, resistant infections contributed to roughly 1.3 million deaths globally in 2019, largely due to the overuse of antibiotics, which has allowed bacteria to evolve and withstand common treatments.
The study targeted S. epidermidis because it can cause severe infections if it enters the body through wounds or during surgeries, and some strains have become resistant to most antibiotics. The researchers discovered that small electric currents could combat these bacteria effectively only in acidic conditions, which are naturally found on healthy skin but are altered in chronic wounds. Saehyun Kim, the study’s lead researcher, noted that identifying the right conditions under which bacteria respond to electricity could help develop strategies to manage other types of bacteria.
To apply this discovery practically, the team developed a prototype known as the Bioelectronic Localized Antimicrobial Stimulation Therapy (BLAST) patch. This patch includes electrodes for the current and a water-based gel to maintain an acidic environment conducive to the electric treatment. Tests on pork skin and infected catheters showed a near tenfold reduction in bacterial levels within 18 hours of treatment, indicating the patch’s potential to control bacterial infections effectively.
Further research is required to confirm the safety and long-term effectiveness of the BLAST patch, but the findings suggest it could provide a new, drug-free way to treat infections. If successful, this technology may lead to electric bandages that control bacteria without antibiotics, offering a promising alternative for managing infections while reducing the threat of drug-resistant bacteria.
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