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Open AccessVollständige AnalyseJun 18, 2026

In vitro skin model to investigate novel anti-infective treatments against staphylococcal dysbiosis

An air-liquid interface in vitro skin model with minimal nutrition reproduces skin conditions and shows that rhamnolipids combined with antibiotics reduce staphylococcal biofilm viability more than antibiotics alone, but all data are preclinical and do not support direct clinical application.

The question (PICO)
PopulationStaphylococcus spp. biofilms cultivated in an in vitro skin model (air-liquid interface, minimal nutrition)
InterventionRhamnolipids alone or combined with antibiotics (rifampicin, clindamycin)
VergleichAntibiotics alone; untreated controls
EndpunktBacterial viability, biofilm formation and reduction, antibiotic tolerance, antimicrobial susceptibility
DEvidenz
Studie
In vitro study
Effekt
Günstig
Zusammenfassung der Ergebnisse nach Endpunkt
EndpunktGradRichtungEffektStudien
Bacterial viability in biofilm (rhamnolipid+antibiotic vs. antibiotic alone)D Günstignão reportado quantitativamente1
Antibiotic tolerance in air-liquid interface model vs. standard broth cultureD Ungünstigmaior tolerância no modelo AI-L; tamanho de efeito não reportado1
Staphylococcal biofilm formation in the in vitro modelD Unzureichendconfirmada no modelo; dados quantitativos não disponíveis no fragmento1
Effect of rhamnolipids alone on biofilmD Unzureichendnão reportado quantitativamente no fragmento disponível1
Bacterial viability in biofilm (rhamnolipid+antibiotic vs. antibiotic alone)D
Richtung Günstig
Effektnão reportado quantitativamente
Studien1
Antibiotic tolerance in air-liquid interface model vs. standard broth cultureD
Richtung Ungünstig
Effektmaior tolerância no modelo AI-L; tamanho de efeito não reportado
Studien1
Staphylococcal biofilm formation in the in vitro modelD
Richtung Unzureichend
Effektconfirmada no modelo; dados quantitativos não disponíveis no fragmento
Studien1
Effect of rhamnolipids alone on biofilmD
Richtung Unzureichend
Effektnão reportado quantitativamente no fragmento disponível
Studien1

Kontext

Hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by bacterial dysbiosis and biofilm formation in sinus tracts, where conventional antibiotics have limited efficacy. Experimental models mimicking the cutaneous microenvironment are needed to screen novel agents. Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants with potential to disrupt the EPS matrix and enhance antibiotic diffusion.

Was die Studie zeigte

The air-liquid interface model with minimal nutrition induced staphylococcal biofilm formation with higher antibiotic tolerance compared to standard broth cultures. Combination of rhamnolipids with antibiotics reduced biofilm bacterial viability more than antibiotic monotherapy. Absolute CFU counts and effect sizes with 95% CI are not reported in the available text excerpt. The model demonstrated that environmental factors (air interface, low nutrition) modulate bacterial susceptibility to treatments.

Wie es durchgeführt wurde

In vitro (preclinical) study using an artificial air-liquid interface skin model with minimal nutrition to cultivate Staphylococcus spp. Response to rhamnolipids, antibiotics, and their combinations was assessed. Sample size, exact number of biological replicates, and experiment duration are not fully described in the available excerpt.

Effektgröße

Quantitative effect sizes with 95% CI are not reported in the available text fragment; the superiority of rhamnolipid+antibiotic combination over monotherapy is described qualitatively only.

Einschränkungen

Strictly in vitro (preclinical) study; absence of animal model or clinical trial validation precludes any extrapolation to patients. Risk of bias tools (RoB 2, ROBINS-I) are not applicable to in vitro studies. Partial text availability limits assessment of effect sizes, replicates, and controls.

In der klinischen Praxis

No basis for changing clinical practice exists from this study. Clinicians should maintain established protocols for hidradenitis suppurativa until clinical trials evaluate rhamnolipids in humans. This study serves only as a reference for future translational research design.

Was noch fehlt

Animal model studies and subsequently controlled clinical trials are needed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of rhamnolipids combined with antibiotics in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

Quelle: DOI 10.1002/btm2.70124 · 2026

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