Infection of burn wounds remains the leading cause of death in burn patients. Topical treatment of such infections with conventional antibiotics is often unsuccessful due to the presence of... Show moreInfection of burn wounds remains the leading cause of death in burn patients. Topical treatment of such infections with conventional antibiotics is often unsuccessful due to the presence of drug-resistant bacteria and/or to the formation of bacterial biofilms. Taken together there is a clear need for novel antimicrobial agents with modes of action different that of current antibiotics. Identification of new synthetic peptide antibiotics for topical use holds a promising approach. In vitro skin models pose many similar properties as normal human skin, and are often used in laboratory settings. In this thesis in vitro models were used to study the effect of colonization and infection of healthy skin, (thermally) wounded skin (chapter 2), mucosal membranes (chapter 3) and skin with characteristics of atopic dermatitis (chapter 6). In addition, the difference in bacterial biofilm formation on biotic (in vitro skin models) versus a-biotic surfaces (polystyrene) was investigated (chapter 7). Finally, skin models were used to identify potent synthetic antimicrobial peptides against drug-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (chapter 3,4). These peptides proved to be effective when applied topically in saline, but also in a hydrogel (chapter 5). Show less
