Researchers found that a common antibiotic-resistant bacterium prevents wounds from healing by chemically paralyzing skin cells rather than attacking them directly.
Scientists from an international research group led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), have identified an approach that may help chronic wounds heal faster, including wounds infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Chronic wounds are a serious global health burden. An estimated 18.6 million people develop diabetic foot ulcers[1] each year worldwide, and as many as one in three people with diabetes may face a foot ulcer at some point in their lives.
These long-lasting wounds are a major driver of lower limb amputations. They also often become trapped in a cycle of ongoing infection that keeps the body from repairing the damaged skin.
In Singapore, chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries, and venous leg ulcers, are becoming more common. More than 16,000 cases occur each year, especially among older adults and people with diabetes.
The Bacterium That Keeps Wounds From Closing
In a study published in Science Advances, researchers working with collaborators at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, found that a widespread bacterium called Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) can actively interfere with wound healing. They also showed that blocking the key biological effect can help skin cells recover and close the wound.
E. faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen that often appears in chronic infections such as diabetic foot ulcers. These wounds can be extremely hard to treat and may fail to heal, raising the risk of complications and amputation.
Another challenge is rising antibiotic resistance in E. faecalis. Some strains no longer respond to several commonly used antibiotics, which can make infections much harder to manage.
Doctors and scientists have long known that infections can slow healing, but the specific biological reason this happens has not been well understood.
