LAUSR

Skin bacterial colonization/infections are frequent causes of morbidity in patients with chronic wounds and allergic/inflammatory skin diseases. This study aimed to develop a novel approach to eradicate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), further referred to as MRSA, from human skin. To achieve this, the stability and antibacterial activity of the novel LL-37-derived peptide P10 in four ointments was compared. Results indicate that P10 is chemically stable and antibacterial effective in hypromellose gel and Softisan-containing cream, but not in Cetomacrogol (with or without vaseline), at 4°C for 16 months. Reduction in MRSA counts on Leiden human epidermal models (LEMs) by P10 in hypromellose gel was greater than that of the peptide in Cetomacrogol or PBS. P10 did not show adverse effects on LEMs irrespective of the ointments used, while Cetomacrogol with vaseline and Softisan cream, but not hypromellose gel and Cetomacrogol cream, destroyed MRSA-colonized LEMs. Taking this all into account, P10 in hypromellose gel dose-dependently reduced MRSA colonizing the stratum corneum of the epidermis as well as biofilms of this bacterial strain on LEMs. Moreover, P10 dose-dependently reduced MRSA counts on ex-vivo human skin with P10 in hypromellose gel being more effective than in Cetomacrogol and Softisan cream. Together, P10 in hypromellose gel is a strong candidate for eradication of MRSA from human skin.