Impact of continuous Topical Oxygen Therapy on biofilm gene expression in a porcine tissue model

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JWC cTOT Biofilm Gene
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Introduction

Oxygen has been shown to increase the susceptibility of biofilms to antibiotics through enhancing metabolism. Thus, the topic ‘‘Impact of continuous topical oxygen therapy on biofilm gene expression in a porcine tissue model” was chosen for the Top 8 poster category at the 19th meeting of the Diabetic Foot Study Group in Valencia. Data in this study suggests increased metabolic activity within bacterial cells following cTOT treatment. Observed gene expression changes highlight the impact of cTOT on biofilms, potentially influencing antimicrobial treatment success in wounds.

The full publication is now available in the Journal of Wound Care (JoWC).

Key Highlights:

  • Preclinical model using Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms grown on porcine tissue
  • Biofilms were subjected to 24 h oxygen using continuous topical oxygen therapy (NATROX O₂) or no oxygen
  • Tissue sampled and gene expression levels were assessed for a panel of eight genes linked to biofilm formation, quorum sensing, protein secretion and translocation, and metabolism
  • Transcriptional up-regulation of genes linked to increased metabolism (pelA, pcrV and acpP) and Transcriptional down-regulation of genes linked to biofilm formation (cbrA, pscQ, pslA)
  • Suggests increased metabolic activity within bacterial cells and less requirement to form biofilm following cTOT treatment
  • Enhanced metabolism may increase the susceptibility of biofilm bacteria to antimicrobials, thus improving antimicrobial treatment of chronic wounds.

Discussion

cTOT is an adjunctive therapy that supports faster healing and pain reduction in non-healing hypoxic wounds. Data in this study suggests increased metabolic activity within bacterial cells following cTOT treatment. Oxygen has previously been shown to increase the susceptibility of biofilms to antibiotics through enhancing metabolism.

Observed gene expression changes highlight the impact of cTOT on biofilms potentially influencing antimicrobial treatment success in wounds, warranting further in vitro and clinical investigations.

Poster Authors:

Christopher Ball, PhD; Hannah Jones; Hannah Thomas; Lisa Thomas, RN; Emma Woodmansey PhD; Gregory Schultz PhD

Article Citation:

Ball C, Jones H, Thomas H, et al. Impact of continuous topical oxygen therapy on biofilm gene expression in a porcine tissue model. J Wound Care. 2024 Sep 17; 33 (9). doi: 10.12968/jowc.2024.0213