Evaluating Efficacy and Stability of Responsive Antifungal Hydrogels for the Treatment of Infected Wounds
Abstract
The prevalence of invasive fungal wound infections has been steadily increasing in military trauma. With rising antifungal resistance and toxicity associated with antifungal therapeutics, there is a need to formulate wound dressings that can more directly target and respond to fungal infections. We have previously developed a fungal enzyme-responsive antifungal hydrogel drugdelivery platform, which has shown promise in vitro. The goal of this proposal is to investigate the in vivo antifungal efficacy of these hydrogel formulations encapsulating different antifungal carriers against a murine fungal infection model. Specifically, we will investigate activity against a Candida albicans murine flesh wound infection model, as a common fungal speciesencountered in military wounds. Mice will be infected with a luminescent C. albicans strain, treated with fungi-responsive and non-responsive hydrogel formulations, and infection progression tracked with live animal imaging over time. Results will be compared to studies conducted with a clinical gold standard antimicrobial hydrogel wound dressing. Additionally, wewill investigate wound healing by conducting histological analysis of the treated tissues. In this proposal, we will also investigate the effects of storing these formulations at a range of temperature and humidity conditions over 6 to 12 months, spanning conditions in which these materials may be utilized. Food and Drug Administration recommendations for the analysis of drug product storage will be followed. Properties including hydrogel morphology, degradationwith and without fungal enzymes, dehydration, and in vitro antifungal activity will be assessed following storage at these conditions. The findings of this project will assist in forward translation of the promising antifungal hydrogel wound dressings that have been developed. The technologies developed through this proposal will be applicable to both military and civilianapplications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 08, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012455
Entities
People
- Anita Shukla
Organizations
- Brown University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy