A recent study published in New Scientist explores the potential use of electrical pulses to prevent bacteria on the skin from causing blood poisoning. The study focuses on Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria, which typically live harmlessly on human skin but can enter the body through wounds and lead to bloodstream infections.
The research team, led by Bozhi Tian at the University of Chicago, created plastic patches with gold electrodes that deliver electrical pulses to the skin. These pulses were found to reduce S. epidermidis levels on disinfected pig skin samples and disrupt the bacteria's ability to form biofilms, which are associated with more severe infections.
The study suggests that these electric skin patches could potentially reduce the risk of drug-resistant S. epidermidis infections, offering an alternative to antibiotic treatment. Munehiro Asally, a researcher at the University of Warwick, notes that widespread antibiotic use is contributing to drug resistance and that this new approach could help address the crisis.
However, Asally also points out that the impact of the patches on other bacteria that can cause blood poisoning is unclear. Tian's team plans to further study this and eventually test the approach on live animals within the next year.
Overall, this research presents a promising alternative to antibiotics for preventing bacterial infections from entering the body through the skin. By exploring the potential of electrical pulses, scientists may be able to address the growing issue of antibiotic resistance and provide new solutions for preventing bloodstream infections.