The use of imperceptible electric shocks as an alternative treatment for skin infections offers promising opportunities in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have discovered that they can fight bacterial infections using electric shocks. This is good news, because no medications are needed in this case. “Our research offers an alternative way to treat disease-causing bacteria,” says researcher Bozhi Tian in conversation with Scientias.nl. “This can help reduce the use of antibiotics and tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance.”
Electric shocks
The use of electric shocks in medicine is not entirely new. For example, pacemakers can regulate the heart rate by stimulating heart muscles with small electrical currents. In addition, retinal implants, which work like a bionic eye, use electrical stimulation to activate a patient’s retina and partially restore their vision. However, until now it had not been properly investigated how bacteria respond to electric shocks, mainly because researchers do not know exactly under what conditions they are stimulated.
Antibiotic resistance
Normally pathogenic bacteria are combated with antibiotics. However, Tian and his team wondered if they could treat bacteria with electricity instead. It is very important that alternative ways are sought. Due to the overuse of antibiotics, many microbes have become resistant to current medications, making them less effective over time. Previous studies estimate that antibiotic-resistant infections were responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019.
Staphylococcus epidermidis
The team investigated how Staphylococcus epidermidisa common bacteria on human skin, is said to respond to electric shocks. This bacteria is usually harmless and can even protect the skin against pathogens. However, if the microbe enters the body through a cut or medical procedure, such as a catheter, it can cause serious infections. And to make matters worse, there have recently been three tribes of them S. epidermidis emerged that are resistant to all types of antibiotics. “Because S. epidermidis is part of the microbial ecosystem naturally present on our skin, we prefer not to completely eradicate this bacteria,” explains Tian. “Their complete absence on the skin can cause other problems.”
Plaster
In short, Tian wants S. epidermidis so not completely killing, but only rendering harmless. To study how this bacterium responds to electric shocks, the team developed a kind of patch. This patch contains electrodes and a hydrogel that creates an acidic environment. “We exposed the bacteria to a small electric current,” Tian explains. “In this case, the bacteria become ‘sensitive’ at the acidic pH levels that are normal for healthy skin. When exposed to a mild electric shock, the bacteria’s membrane potential changes, affecting their growth and the formation of biofilms (a group of bacteria that adhere to a surface, block drugs and cause long-term infections. ed). This non-lethal stimulation disrupts the bacteria’s normal processes, reducing their ability to cause infections without directly killing them.”
Pig skin
The team tested the patch on pig skin that was infected with S. epidermidis. The team stimulated the bacteria with a low electrical voltage of 1.5 volts, which is much lower than the 15 volts considered unnoticeable and safe for humans. They did this for 10 seconds every 10 minutes for 18 hours. The findings show that S. epidermidis after electrical stimulation produced fewer genes, including those for antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. In ideal acidic conditions, the electrical treatment stopped 99 percent of the biofilm. After 18 hours, the team noticed that the biofilm coverage had decreased significantly and was almost 10 times less S. epidermidiscells were compared to an untreated sample. “Our study shows that small electric shocks hold promise as an effective treatment for skin infections, especially against S. epidermidis”, concludes Tian.
Safe for people
Bacterial infections can therefore be effectively stopped with a few electric shocks, without the need for medication. Moreover, the researchers have not yet found any side effects. “We use an electrical voltage that is harmless and undetectable to humans,” Tian underlines. “The applied electrical voltage of 1.5 volts is well below the levels that could be harmful to human tissue, indicating minimal risk.” Still, Tian is cautious. “We have not yet thoroughly investigated the long-term effects and possible consequences for other skin microorganisms or tissues,” he says. “Additional research may be needed to fully understand any side effects.”
Antibioticaresistentiecrisis
The research not only offers hope for the treatment of skin infections and wound healing, but could also help reduce the global antibiotic resistance crisis. Antibiotic resistance has now become a ticking time bomb. For example, the WHO predicts that in 2050 more people will die from an infection (that we still consider harmless today, such as a cut, a wound or perhaps bladder infection) than from cancer. Many scientists are therefore looking for solutions. “Our new method can be of great benefit to the treatment of infectious diseases, as it provides a drug-free way to combat bacterial infections, especially those resistant to antibiotics,” Tian summarizes. “And by reducing our reliance on antibiotics, this approach helps tackle the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. In addition, the research shows that electrical stimulation can strengthen the effect of existing treatments by making bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics, even at lower doses.”
The next step is to further investigate whether the treatment is safe and effective. If this turns out to be the case, the researchers want to further develop their patch so that it can help many more people to get rid of otherwise dangerous skin infections effectively and without further medication.
Shockingly Effective: Shocking Bacteria to Combat Antibiotic Resistance
In a stunning twist that sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, researchers are proposing we use imperceptible electric shocks as a novel treatment for skin infections. Yes, you heard it right! Instead of downsizing your pillbox, it might be time to charge up your skin care routine. And let me tell you, if Bozhi Tian and his team are right, we could be reprogramming our approach to infections faster than you can say “antibiotic resistance.”
The Electric Future of Medicine
Now, before you envision yourself hooked up to a car battery in the name of health, let’s clarify: These electric shocks, ranging around 1.5 volts, are barely enough to make you think twice about leaving your phone charger plugged in. Researchers had the bright idea to see if these low-key electric currents could serve a greater purpose than just powering your favorite gadget. The thought process? Why stick to antibiotics, which are becoming about as effective as a chocolate teapot against resistant bacteria, when we can zap them instead?
Fun Fact: In 2019, antibiotic-resistant infections allegedly claimed a staggering 1.27 million lives worldwide. So, yes, we’ve got a serious problem on our hands…
Bacteria Be Gone: Enter Staphylococcus epidermidis
Ever heard of Staphylococcus epidermidis? No? Don’t worry; it’s usually a harmless little fella that hangs out on our skin, putting in the long hours of being a good guy. But get it through a cut, and you’ve got yourself a nasty infection on your hands. As if that wasn’t enough, three resistant strains have also popped up to make our lives even more miserable. Thanks for nothing, guys!
Tian and his crew were smart enough to investigate how good old S. epidermidis reacts when subjected to electric shocks. The idea wasn’t to destroy this comical bacteria, but rather to make it as harmless as a kitten in a cardboard box. Using a patch with electrodes, researchers found that, much like telling a toddler to sit still, shocking the bacteria disrupted its usual processes without outright killing it. Like that kid at a birthday party who just can’t help but bounce off the walls!
How It Works
The patch isn’t just a pretty face, either. This genius design incorporates a hydrogel that creates a slightly acidic environment — think of it as making a cozy, less-than-pleasant home for the bacteria. When our tiny friends were given electric shocks, they not only shied away from forming biofilms (those pesky little formations that make infections chronic) but also produced fewer genes associated with antibiotic resistance. And if that isn’t a win for humanity, I don’t know what is!
Shocking Results (Pun Intended)
After administering these mild electrical zaps to pig skin (plenty of apologies to the porcine population on this one), researchers reported a nearly unbelievable reduction in biofilm formation. In layman’s terms: a jaw-dropping 99% reduction after 18 hours of non-lethal stimulation. What a way to go out, S. epidermidis!
The Bright Side of Shocking
Now, before you google “how to become a human car battery,” let’s get to the crux of it: this method is harmless to human tissue! Tian himself reassures us that the applied voltage is so mild, you wouldn’t even notice it. And while they haven’t yet fully explored long-term consequences or side effects, the researchers are standing firmly at the edge of excitement.
Caution: While we can simply shock the bacteria into submission, this crazy new method begs for more research. Think of it as paving the way to becoming the next great superhero in the fight against infections… just without the cape.
A Ticking Time Bomb
The antibiotics of today could be the dinosaurs of tomorrow and, if the WHO is to be believed, we might soon be living in a world where a simple cut could lead to serious infections claiming more lives than cancer by 2050. If you think your sunscreen is a big deal, this is pushing it further!
So, hats off to the researchers pushing the boundaries on how we tackle bacterial infections! This isn’t just another chapter in the medical handbook; it could be a whole new volume entirely. Researchers are optimistic that by reducing our reliance on antibiotics, they’re not just developing a method—they’re bringing forth an electrifying revolution in healthcare.
So, What’s Next?
If all goes well, we may soon have patches zapping away our bacterial woes, making us healthier and the pharmaceutical industry a tad more nervous about their bottom line. Who knew electric shocks could be the alternative we’ve been waiting for in a world so crowded with antibiotic-fueled chaos?
In the great battle against infections, it seems booby traps won’t be the only lightning-strike defense we’ll have in our arsenal. So, watch out, bacteria! Your time is running out.
Until next time, keep your skin healthy, your patches charged, and your jokes sharper than the needles!
