Two-drug combination shows promise in helping heal chronic wounds
Summary: A team at the University of Oregon discovered that pairing low-dose chlorate with conventional antibiotics increased antibacterial effectiveness by 10,000-fold against *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* in lab settings. This synergy offers a potential new strategy for tackling stubborn infections in chronic wounds, including those seen in diabetic foot ulcers.
Key Highlights:
- Synergistic effect: Chlorate enhances antibiotic potency, making bacteria much more vulnerable even under resistant conditions.
- Reduced dosing risk: The combination allows lower antibiotic dosages, potentially reducing side effects and toxicity.
- Mechanistic hint: Chlorate may interfere with bacterial nitrate respiration under low-oxygen wound conditions, stressing cells and exposing them to antibiotics.
- Clinical relevance: If translated to humans, this approach could shorten treatment durations and improve outcomes in chronic wound infections.
- Next steps: The authors note that complex wound microbiomes and in vivo testing must be addressed before clinical use.
Keywords:
Melanie Spero,
chlorate antibiotic synergy,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
chronic wound infection,
antibiotic resistance strategy