34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

This study evaluates a novel hydrogel containing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) designed for wound care, addressing the challenge of AMP instability in biological environments. To stabilize AMPs, they were covalently attached to a polymer matrix, creating a contact-killing hydrogel. The goal is to offer an effective, safe alternative to traditional antibiotics and antiseptics for managing bacterial infections in wounds, particularly relevant in veterinary settings where antibiotic resistance is rising.

Methods:

AMPs were bonded to a soft amphiphilic polymer through covalent attachment and physical entanglement, forming a stable matrix that prevents AMP leaching and ensures sustained antibacterial activity. The material’s efficacy was tested in in-vitro wound models, assessing bacterial killing efficiency, AMP retention in the presence of serum, cytotoxicity, and endotoxin neutralization.

Results:

The hydrogel demonstrated over 99% killing efficiency against MRSA, MDR, and E. coli and retained activity for up to four days in 20% blood serum. The hydrogel also neutralized endotoxins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and exhibited no cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Veterinary trials in cats, dogs and horses showed robust antibacterial effects across various surgical wounds, reinforcing its potential for clinical application.

Conclusions:

This AMP-embedded hydrogel provides stable, effective antimicrobial activity without AMP leaching or toxicity. Its strong performance in both in-vitro and veterinary models supports its promise as a safe alternative to conventional treatments for managing wound infections.