In-vivo and In-Vitro Examination of the Effect of Lucilia Sericata Larvae and Secretions on the Bacteria in Open Wounds

BACKGROUND/AIMS Maggot Therapy is an old method used to contribute to the debridement, disinfection and healing of chronic wounds. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial effect of Lucilia sericata larvae and secretion on the bacteria in open wounds both in in-vivo and in-vitro manner. MATERIAL and METHODS Samples were taken from 25 wounds belonging to 23 patients and were tested with bacteria cultures made to observe the bacterial variety before and after the Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT). In addition, in in-vitro conditions the Lucilia sericata larvae secretion was examined against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and Pseudomonas aeuroginosa bacteria. RESULTS In the in-vivo section of our study in which we compared the bacterial variety before and after applying L. sericata larvae, we observed that there were reductions in bacterial load on the infected wounds especially the gram-positive bacteria. The data in the in-vitro section of our study in which we used solid and liquid broth media showed that the anti-bacterial effect changed according to the characteristics of the broth medium. CONCLUSION Maggot Therapy may be used in an efficient way in eliminating the pathogen bacteria in infected wounds with the help of its antibacterial activity.