Topical mupirocin-corticosteroid combination therapy for staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa infected wounds: A histological study in Wistar rats

The healing of infected wounds remains a challenge, and a number of topical products with minimal effects have been utilized; hence, studies on the healing potential of various concentrations of corticosteroid-mupirocin cream are needed. This study evaluated the effects of different combinations of topical corticosteroid and mupirocin on the histological parameters of wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A randomized controlled study was conducted to compare the effects of different corticosteroid‒mupirocin combinations on the healing of infected wounds in male Wistar rats. Forty-two rats (150–200 g) were randomly assigned to 7 groups of 6 rats each. A 2x2 cm wound was made on the lower backs of the rats in Groups 2-7 and infected with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Different combinations of mupirocin and corticosteroids were used for dressing and changed on Days 7, 10, 17 and 24. Biopsies of the wounds were subjected to histological analysis. Analysis revealed that the Mupirocin-Betamethasone (2:1) group had the highest epithelization score (p=0.0001). Both the Mupirocin-Betamethasone groups had greater collagenization (p=0.001) and fibroblast scores (p=0.001). Mupirocin-Betamethasone at a ratio of 2:1 was the most effective combination which promotes the healing of infected wounds.