OBJECTIVETo investigate the antibacterial effect of a particular antimicrobial peptide Cecropin B(CB) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of wound in mice.

METHODSThirty ICR mice were enrolled in the study, and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection model was reproduced by excision of the full layer of dorsal skin with an area of 1 cm x 1 cm. Then they were randomly divided into C ( control, n = 10, with wet compress of isotonic saline at 3 postinjury hour( PIH) ) , M (with hydropathic compress of 100 g/L mafenide at 3 PIH), A (with wet compress of 1 000 mg/L Cecropin B at 3 PIH) groups. The changes in body temperature and hemogram in each group were determined before and 4 days after injury. Quantitative examination were used to detect the quantity of bacteria in muscular tissue of the wounds, and the survival of the mice were observed on 4 post-injury day( PID).

RESULTSThe wounds were moist with more exudation in C group,while that in other groups were dry without obvious exudation. The body temperature of the majority of the mice in each group were elevated, but the number of leucocytes in each group was lowered after operation. The quantity of bacteria in muscle in A group[ (42 +/- 50) CFU/g] was obviously lower than that in M group [(886+/-804) CFU/g, P <0.05] , and it was all obviously lower than that in C group[ (41 +/-28) x 10(5) CFU/g, P <0.01]. The number of surviving mice after 4 PID in C group was evidently smaller than that in A and M groups( P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe cecropin B possesses obvious anti-bacterial effect on the Pseudomonas Aeruginosa infected wounds of ICR mice, and it can reduce the mortality.