Pathogens present in both acute and chronic wounds include a range of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs), often living in organized biofilms. The MDROs acquire resistance mechanisms through lateral transfer of genes among different species of bacteria in combination with selective pressure from overuse of antibiotics. It has been reported that more than 70 % of all bacteria causing wound infections are resistant to at least one kind of antibiotic.聽
In the past few decades, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed as a potential antibiotic and novel treatment strategy for wound infection. AMPs originate from human or other species, or can be artificially designed, and the functions include but are not limited to antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, and pro-proliferation properties. However, the effects of AMPs can be stifled by wound-related (alkaline pH and proteolysis) and environmental (hydrolysis, oxidation, and photolysis) factors. Additionally, some AMPs have reportedly high cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity. Several ways of mitigating the instability and toxicity of AMPs have been presented, including using polymeric scaffolds, nanoparticles or hydrogels as vehicles.
