University of Concepción develops probiotic treatment to combat antibiotic-resistant infections in pets

A research team at the University of Concepción is pioneering a probiotic-based approach to treat wound infections in dogs and cats, aiming to combat the rising threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in veterinary medicine.

A research team at the University of Concepción is testing a probiotic-based treatment for wound infections in dogs and cats, in a bid to curb the spread of bacteria that no longer respond to standard antibiotics.

Sandra Quilodrán, a biochemist and microbiologist who directs the university’s food microbiology laboratory, is leading the project, which has secured funding from Acelera Tech UdeC 2026. The grant will support eight months of work and builds on more than a decade of collaboration with researchers in veterinary science and biotechnology in Chile and Argentina.

The focus is on wounds caused by hospital-acquired bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs,a growing problem in companion animals as well as in human medicine. Recent studies in veterinary journals have documented antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the wounds of dogs and cats, and have identified resistance genes that could pose a wider zoonotic risk.

Quilodrán said the team is now testing whether selected strains can prevent infection, help heal established wounds, or do both. The next stage will involve genetic studies and pre-clinical work in animals.

The approach reflects a broader scientific interest in probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics. A meta-analysis in animal studies found probiotic administration could speed wound repair, while newer research has also warned that probiotic products themselves must be checked carefully for hidden resistance genes.