Chitosan sponges for local synergistic infection therapy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Although bacterial antibiotic resistance is increasing, fewer new antibiotics are being developed to compensate. Localized delivery of synergistic antiseptics and antibiotics with a chitosan sponge device may offer an alternative infection treatment.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: In this pilot study, we asked whether antiseptic and antibiotic combinations provided in vitro synergism against Staphylococcus aureus, whether synergism reduces cell viability, and whether their combination releases drugs at inhibitory levels.

METHODS: To investigate the pharmacodynamics among three combinations of the antiseptic chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) with the antibiotics amikacin, daptomycin, and vancomycin (VAN) (n=1), we determined the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index against S aureus Cowan I. The determined synergistic combination of CHX and VAN was evaluated for cell compatibility using NIH/3T3 fibroblasts (n=3) and the drug release profile from a chitosan sponge device (n=5).

RESULTS: With an FIC index<0.5, the combination of CHX+VAN exhibited synergism against S aureus. CHX concentrations≥3.91 μg/mL resulted in fibroblast viability decrease, whereas the combination of CHX+VAN did not decrease fibroblast viability until their concentrations reached ≥7.81 μg/mL. The CHX and VAN release profile, both individually and in combination, was an initial bolus with no difference between eluate concentrations after Day 5.

CONCLUSIONS: CHX+VAN combination may be delivered locally by a chitosan sponge that synergistically inhibits S aureus growth.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of synergism between combined antibiotic and antiseptics delivered at high local concentrations with an implanted chitosan sponge may provide a useful alternative infection treatment option.