A recent article published in Research presented novel living microneedles (LMNs) with functionalized bacteria encapsulation for efficient fungal infection treatment. This concept was inspired by natural competition law of beneficial bacteria against other microbes.

The authors informed that the chosen beneficial bacterial components, Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), which are naturally found on the human skin and widely used for food processing, can get nutrients from the skin and escape the immune system with the help of microneedles. In addition, the encapsulated B. subtilis continuously produce and secrete various potential antifungal agents which directly bind to fungal cell surface-associated proteins and destruct their cell membranes, thus preventing drug resistance.

It was stated that after immobilization in the LMNs, the bacteria can lodge in the LMNs without invasion and the encapsulated bacteria along with microneedles can be removed after application. Hence, the risk for subsequent bacterial infections are minimized. Besides, strong penetrability of the microneedles enhances penetration of antifungal agents, and their heights can be adjusted according to the infected depth, to acquire better therapeutic outcomes. These features make the LMNs potentially valuable for clinical applications.

Source: Research(Washington, D.C.). 2020Nov 12;2020:2760594. doi: 10.34133/2020/2760594.