Novel Diagnostic Technologies and Therapeutic Approaches Targeting Chronic Wound Biofilms and Microbiota

AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide an  up-to-date overview of recent developments in diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches for chronic wound biofilms and pathogenic microbiota.Recent FindingsBiofilm infections are one of the major contributors to impaired wound healing in chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and nonhealing surgical wounds. As an organized microenvironment commonly including multiple microbial species, biofilms develop and persist through methods that allow evasion from host immune response and antimicrobial treatments. Suppression and reduction of biofilm infection have been demonstrated to improve wound healing outcomes. However, chronic wound biofilms are a challenge to treat due to limited methods for accurate, accessible clinical identification and the biofilm ’s protective properties against therapeutic agents. Here we review recent approaches towards visual markers for less invasive, enhanced biofilm detection in the clinical setting. We outline progress in wound care treatments including investigation of their antibiofilm effects, such as with hydros urgical and ultrasound debridement, negative pressure wound therapy with instillation, antimicrobial peptides, nanoparticles and nanocarriers, electroceutical dressings, and phage therapy.SummaryCurrent evidence for biofilm-targeted treatments has been primarily conducted in preclinical studies, with limited clinical investigation for many therapie...

Source: Current Dermatology Reports - March 25, 2022 Category: Dermatology Source Type: research