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Rose Godfrey, Jemi Ong, Joshua Tam, Lynn Drake, Paul Pasquina, Brad Isaacson, and Dr. Dustin Williams, Department of Orthopaedics, George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs, 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84148
Wavelengths of light between 400-470 nm have been shown to stunt the growth of or kill bacteria. Using these wavelengths, referred to as antimicrobial blue light (aBL), we hypothesize that aBL will be a feasible method of controlling biofilm infection by itself or as part of a combinatorial therapy with essential oils. Biofilms can complicate the skin-implant interface of osseointegrated (OI) implants in lower leg amputees, in part due to epithelial downgrowth. We performed in vitro analysis to translate aBL and combination therapies toward an animal model that mimics a percutaneous skin-implant interface. Staphylococcus aureus biofilms commonly affect OI implant infections. Among clove, thyme, and oregano, data showed that a 10% concentration of oregano resulted in the most reliable elimination of S. aureus with an 8-log decrease in colony forming units (CFUs). Currently, we are performing ex vivo experiments to determine the J/cm2 for the in vivo aBL studies; early results indicate 900 J/cm2 may eradicate biofilms on skin surfaces. Combinatorial therapies of the oils and aBL will help explore the potential of aBL as an antimicrobial therapy in vivo.
Presenter: Rose Godfrey
Institution: University of Utah
Type: Poster
Subject: Biological & Chemical Engineering
Status: Approved
