Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Cazander, G
• van Veen, K.E.B
• Bernards, A.T
• Jukema, G.N

Titel

Do maggots have an influence on bacterial growth? A study on the susceptibility of strains of six different bacterial species to maggots of Lucilia sericata and their excretions/secretions

Ist Teil von

• Journal of tissue viability, 2009-08, Vol.18 (3), p.80-87

Ort / Verlag

England: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2009

Quelle

Access via ScienceDirect (Elsevier)

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Abstract Purpose The maggots of Lucilia sericata are successfully used as a treatment for infected wounds. Many articles are published about possible direct antibacterial properties of maggots and their excretions/secretions (ES), but with different results. The present study reinvestigates the susceptibility of six bacterial strains to maggots and their ES. Methods Live maggots were added to a bacterial suspension. After incubation for 16 h, the bacterial growth in this suspension was compared with the growth in a suspension without maggots. We tested Instar-1 and Instar-3 maggots and compared nutrient broths. A turbidimetric assay investigated the antibacterial activity of ES. Finally, we compared the bacterial growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results The test with live maggots showed an increase of bacterial growth. Instar-1 maggots stimulated more bacterial growth than Instar-3 maggots, as well as the use of a more nutritious broth. The turbidimetric assay showed no inhibition of bacterial growth. For all bacteria, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa , an increase in bacterial growth was shown. Conclusion There is no direct antibacterial effect of maggots and/or ES in vitro , however in clinical observations maggot therapy is successful. More research is needed to focus on possible indirect antibacterial activity, such as an immune-related effect.