Miller School Part of International Study That Shows Postbiotic Found in Balkan Cream Helps Heal Staph Infections

The study indicates Lactobacillus curvatus BGMK2-41, which is derived from a Balkan clotted cream, clears bacteria from infected skin cells and boosts the skin’s natural defense mechanisms.

A bowl of kayma, a Balkan clotted cream

Wound infections, including those often found in chronic wounds are a serious medical challenge.

Non-healing wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers, among many, often lead to a number of adverse health events, including prolonged hospitalization, lower-extremity amputation and even death.

According to the American Diabetes Association, between 19% and 34% of the 537 million people in the world with diabetes will deal with diabetic foot ulcers. Nearly one in five will need an amputation.

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine researchers recently published a multidisciplinary study to The FASEB Journal investigating the impact of postbiotics on wounds infected with S. aureus, a gram-positive bacteria responsible for a wide range of diseases, including wound infections. The study was featured on the journal cover.

The international “team science” analysis involved:

• First co-author Dr. Miroslav Dinic from the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering at the University of Belgrade, who was supported by a Fulbright fellowship to perform part of this research at the University of Miami

• First co-author and Miller School Medical Scientist Training Program student Jamie L. Burgess, who worked on the study as part of her Ph.D. thesis

Seth Thaler, M.D., a professor of surgery in the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery at the Miller School

Irena Pastar, Ph.D., and Marjana Tomic-Canic, both from the Wound Healing and Regenerative Research Program of the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the Miller School

The Healing Powers of Lactobacillus Curvatus BGMK2-41

The team found that a specific postbiotic, Lactobacillus curvatus BGMK2-41, derived from a Balkan clotted cream, kajmak, not only cleared the bacteria from infected skin cells but also boosted the skin’s natural defense mechanisms, reduced inflammation and improved the skin’s ability to repair itself.

“This is an excellent example of the healing power of food, literally,” said Dr. Tomic-Canic, the William H. Eaglstein, M.D., Chair in Wound Healing, vice chair of research and director of the Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program at the Miller School. “Bioactive lysates from bacteria isolated from fermented food show multiple beneficial effects that promote healing.”

The study results may be key to identifying new and better treatments for persistent skin wound infections and alleviate considerable patient discomfort and the need to resort to drastic solutions like amputations.

“Development of new, antimicrobial treatments that can also stimulate multiple different cellular responses that speed wound closure and restore barrier has significant potential clinical impact for wound infections,” said Dr. Pastar, a corresponding co-author.

Finding Hidden Infections

Staphylococcus aureus infections are the most common pathogen in infected ulcers. The bacteria can hide within cells and avoid antibiotics and the body’s natural immune responses, making the infections chronic and recurrent. Lactobacillus curvatus BGMK2-41 proved adept at “locating” and eradicating the hidden staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It also stimulated antimicrobial peptides, promoted skin re-epithelialization and restored the cutaneous barrier.

The team looks forward to the advancing this study to pre-clinical and clinical testing.

“This promising discovery paves the way for further development and use of components from ‘good bacteria’ aimed to treat intracellular skin infections,” Dr. Tomic-Canic said.


Tags: DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, diabetic foot ulcers, Dr. Irena Pastar, Dr. Marjana Tomic-Canic, Dr. Philip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Dr. Seth Thaler, wound healing, Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program