Human platelet gel supernatant inactivates opportunistic wound pathogens on skin

Abstract

Activation of human platelets produces a gel-like substance referred to as platelet rich plasma or platelet gel. Platelet gel is used clinically to promote wound healing; it also exhibits antimicrobial properties that may aid in the healing of infected wounds. The purpose of this study was to quantify the efficacy of human platelet gel against the opportunistic bacterial wound pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus on skin. These opportunistic pathogens may exhibit extensive antibiotic resistance, necessitating the development of alternative treatment options. The antimicrobial efficacy of platelet gel supernatants was quantified using an in vitro broth dilution assay, an ex vivo inoculated skin assay, and in an in vivo skin decontamination assay. Human platelet gel supernatants were highly bactericidal against A. baumannii and moderately but significantly bactericidal against S. aureus in vitro and in the ex vivo skin model. P. aeruginosa was not inactivated in vitro; a low but significant inactivation level was observed ex vivo. These supernatants were quite effective at inactivating a model organism on skin in vivo. These results suggest application of platelet gel has potential clinical applicability, not only in the acceleration of wound healing, but also against relevant bacteria causing wound infections.

• Acinetobacter baumannii
• platelet gel
• platelet rich plasma
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Staphylococcus aureus

Declaration of interest

BYH is an inventor on an unlicensed patent, number 13/129,076 “Activation and Aggregation of Human Platelets and Formation of Platelet Gels by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields”Inventors: Stephen Beebe, Peter Blackmore, Karl Schoenbach and Barbara Hargrave.

This research and development project is being conducted by Old Dominion University and is made possible by a research grant that was awarded and administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center, at Fort Detrick, MD under Contract Number W81XWH-11-1-0740. The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this research are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense and should not be construed as an official DoD/Army position, policy or decision unless so designated by other documentation. No official endorsement should be made.