THE USE OF PORPHYRINS FOR ERADICATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS IN BURN WOUND INFECTIONS

The assessment of deuteroporphyrin-hemin complex as an agent for the t reatment of burn wounds infected with a multiple-drug resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus was performed. The effect of the porphyrin o n the survival of the infectious bacteria was first assayed in culture , and later tested as well in a burned infected animal model. The addi tion of deuteroporphyrin and hemin, separately or together (as a compl ex) to a growing culture of S. aureus was monitored during 8 hours. It was found that deuteroporphyrin alone was strongly bactericidal only after photosensitization. On the other hand, hemin alone was moderatel y bactericidal but light independent. A combination of both deuterophy rin and hemin was extremely potent even in the dark and did not requir e illumination to eradicate the bacteria. The in vivo experiments by a pplication of the above porphyrins in combination to infected burn wou nds in guinea pigs was an effective way to reduce dramatically the con taminating S. aureus. Reduction of more than 99% of the viable bacteri a was noted after the porphyrin mixture was dropped on the eschar or i njected into the eschar, an effect that lasted for up to 24 hours. The deuteroporphyrin-hemin complex may be suggested as a new bactericidal treatment of S. aureus infected burns since it was found to be a pote nt and promising anti-Staphylococcal agent. (C) 1998 Published by Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.