Photosensitizer-loaded hydrogels for photodynamic inactivation of multirestistant bacteria in wounds

Photodynamic treatment is a promising tool for the therapy of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this study, we highlight photosensitizer-loaded hydrogels as an application system for infected wounds. The poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate-based and electron beam-polymerized hydrogels were mechanically stable and transparent. They were loaded with two photoactive, porphyrin-based drugs – tetrakis(1 methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin p-toluenesulfonate (TMPyP) and tetrahydroporphyrin – p toluenesulfonate (THPTS). The hydrogels released a sufficient amount of the photosensitizers (up to 300 μmol l(−1)), relevant for efficiency. The antimicrobial effectivity of loaded hydrogels was investigated in a tissue-like system as well as in a liquid system against a multiresistant Escherichia coli. In both systems, light induced eradication was possible. In contrast, hydrogels alone showed only minor antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the loaded hydrogels were successfully tested against seven multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, namely Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Achromobacter xylosoxidans. The eradication of these pathogens, except A. xylosoxidans, was successfully demonstrated. In general, TMPyP-loaded hydrogels were more effective than THPTS-loaded ones. Nevertheless, both photosensitizers displayed effectivity against all investigated bacteria strains. Taken together, our data demonstrate that photosensitizer-loaded hydrogels are a promising new tool to improve the treatment of wounds infected with problematic bacterial pathogens.