The study explores the use of regenerative and biologic therapies, particularly platelet lysate and mesenchymal stromal cell therapy, as alternatives to traditional antibiotics in veterinary practice to counter bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance. It discusses how these treatments work and their possible applications and challenges in treating equines.

Objective of the Study

• The study aims to investigate the potential of biological therapies – specifically platelet lysate and mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy – in treating bacterial infections in veterinary practice. This consideration is driven by the increasing instances of antimicrobial resistance observed in this field.

Methods

• Researchers undertook an extensive review of various biological therapies and how they function to exert antimicrobial effects.
• The potential of platelet lysate and MSC therapy was specifically investigated as a possible adjunctive treatment strategy.

Findings and Benefits

• Biological therapies, such as platelet lysate, have unique mechanisms to combat bacterial infections, offering alternatives that may help overcome current challenges with antibiotics.
• Adopting these therapies could minimize the systemic side effects and local tissue toxicity associated with traditional antibiotics.
• Since these therapies are not subject to the usual antibiotic resistance, they provide a potentially more sustainable and long-term solution to bacterial infections.

Applications

• The researchers speculate that these biological therapies could potentially be integrated into equine practice. However, more research is needed to investigate this.

Challenges

• Implementing these biological treatments in clinical practice does pose challenges. Some of these may include regulatory issues, skepticism about the effectiveness of therapies that stray from conventional antibiotic treatments, and the requirement for further research and validation to support their safe use.