Study of peptidases and proteins of fly larvae Musca domestica and Lucilia sericata using in larvotherapy

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Identifier1/0098/11
Funding schemeScientific grant agency (Ministry of education, science, research and sport of the Slovak Republic)
Principal investigator at UVLFKostecká Zuzana, doc. MVDr., PhD.
Project duration01.01.2011 – 31.12.2012
The therapy with application of larvae is effectual alternative way of healing of chronical, by infection affected wounds, which healing has not been successful by using of classical medical treatment. These wounds are typically characterized by presence of necrotic tissue, infection in progress and bad healing. The maggot therapy uses application of freshly prepared sterile larvae of prevalent fly Lucilia sericata and is a form of local artificial infestation of larvae (myiasis) in conditions of controlled clinical situation. The research ground of maggot therapy is based on various factors, which probably contribute to general favourable effects. It appears that the presence of proteolytical enzymes, bactericidal peptides and growth factors in larvae secretions play the most important role. The aim of the project is therefore to extend knowledge of mechanism of effect of flies larvae Musca domestica and Lucilia sericata on healing of infected and necrotic wounds.