title: Squalamine ointment for Staphylococcus aureus skin decolonization in a mouse model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the skin and the nostrils remains a major cause of surgical-site infections despite preoperative and preventive procedures. To date, many compounds have been used for S. aureus decolonization, including mupirocin ointments and antiseptics, with variable results. The emergence of mupirocin-resistant S. aureus strains has led to the search for new antimicrobial agents specifically for S. aureus decolonization. In this work we evaluated squalamine and related parent-derived ointments (1%) as potential new compounds for S. aureus decolonization in a new mouse model.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the development and application of squalamine and related parent-derived ointments in a new mouse skin model. After skin shaving, mice were colonized with an S. aureus suspension that was calibrated to 10⁴-10⁶ cfu/mL. The remaining bacterial load was monitored for 2 days after a single application of squalamine by spreading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that S. aureus colonization of the skin was stable for at least 2 days before it was naturally eliminated. Using this model we found that squalamine ointment (1%) could reduce S. aureus viable cells by up to 4 log with a single, 1 h application of ointment, whereas mupirocin application reduced viable cell numbers by only 1.3 log during that same time (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that such compounds may be useful for S. aureus nasal and skin decolonization and may constitute a potent alternative for skin and nasal antisepsis before surgery.
authors: Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Émergentes (URMITE) UMR 6236 CNRS, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille 05, France.
authors: Lamia
authors: L
authors: Djouhri-Bouktab
authors: Kamel
authors: K
authors: Alhanout
authors: Véronique
authors: V
authors: Andrieu
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Raoult
authors: Jean Marc
authors: JM
authors: Rolain
authors: Jean Michel
authors: JM
authors: Brunel
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002777:Cholestanols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009824:Ointments / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002777:Cholestanols; D009824:Ointments; C079655:squalamine