# Superficial incisional surgical site infections experimentally induced by Staphylococcus aureus in mice: the effect of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus containing dressing*

## TL;DR

This study shows that using Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus in dressings can effectively reduce Staphylococcus aureus infections in mice, especially when combined with vancomycin.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the novel use of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus as a dressing to combat antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

## Key findings

- The combination of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and vancomycin showed the most effective reduction in infection symptoms.
- Mice treated with Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and vancomycin had no signs of infection at 72 hours.
- Sepsis occurred in only 20% of mice in the combined treatment group.

## Abstract

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is an agent that stands out with its predatory properties and has recently been used against pathogens that are frequently resistant to antibiotics. The study was conducted experimentally to determine the effect of dressing application containing Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus on superficial incisional surgical site infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus in mice. In the study, mice were divided into 6 different groups, BB: B. bacteriovorus; NC: Negative Control; PC: Positive Control Methicillin Resistant S. aureus; MRSA + BB: Methicillin Resistant S. aureus + B. bacteriovorus dressing; MRSA + V: Methicillin Resistant S. aureus + Vancomycin; MRSA + BB + V: Methicillin Resistant S. aureus + B. bacteriovorus dressing + Vancomycin group. The treatment procedures were applied over a period of 3 days. Infection symptoms were monitored and recorded at the 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours. In the Staphylococcus aureus + Vancomycin group, all mice developed edema, redness, and fever at 24 h. At 48 h, all mice exhibited edema and redness, with 50% showing fever. At 72 h, 70% of the mice showed edema and redness, and 10% showed fever. In the Staphylococcus aureus + Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus + Vancomycin combined treatment group, all mice exhibited edema, redness, and fever at 24 h. At 48 h, only 20% of the mice showed redness. At 72 h, no edema, redness, fever, purulent discharge, or suture dehiscence was observed. Sepsis developed in 2 of 10 mice in the Staphylococcus aureus + Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus + Vancomycin group. The most effective treatment was in the Staphylococcus aureus + Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus + Vancomycin group. It was determined that sepsis findings were the least in the Staphylococcus aureus + Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus + Vancomycin group. B. bacteriovorus holds the potential to be an effective control agent in preventing or slowing resistance development.