Evaluation of the Larval Therapy in the Healing Process of Infected Wounds with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Rabbits

Abstract

Introduction. During the last two decadesthe larval therapy has reemerged as a safe andreliable alternative for the healing of cutaneousulcers that do not respond to the conventionaltreatments.Objective. To evaluate the use of the larvaeof Lucilia sericata as a treatment for infectedwounds with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in ananimal model.Materials and methods. Twelve rabbits wererandomly distributed in 3 groups: the firstgroup was treated with larval therapy; the secondwas treated with antibiotics therapy and to thethird no treatment was applied, therefore wasestablished as a control group. To each animala wound was artificially induced, and then asuspension of P. aeruginosa was inoculated intothe lesion. Finally, every rabbit was evaluateduntil the infection development was recognizedand treatment was set up for the first twogroups according with the protocols mentionedabove. Macroscopic evaluation of the woundswas based on the presence of edema, exudates,bad odor, inflammation around the wound andthe presence of granulation tissue. The healingprocess was evaluated by monitoring histologicalchanges in the dermal tissue.Results. Differences in the time requiredfor wound healing were observed between thefirst group treated with larval therapy (10 days)and the second group treated with conventionalantibiotics therapy (20 days).Conclusion. The L. sericata larva is and efficienttool as a therapy for infected wounds withP. aeruginosa.

Keywords

• larval therapy
• Lucilia sericata
• wounds healing
• Pseudomona aeruginosa
• histopathology