Current concepts regarding the effect of wound microbial ecology and biofilms on wound healing
Abstract
Biofilms are a collection of microbes that adhere to surfaces by manufacturing a matrix that shields them from environmental elements. Wound biofilms are difficult to evaluate clinically, and standard culture methods are inadequate for capturing the true bioburden present in the biofilm. New molecular techniques provide the means for rapid detection and evaluation of wound biofilms, and may prove to be useful in the clinical setting. Studies have shown that many commercial topical agents and wound dressings in use are ineffective against the biofilm matrix. At this stage, mechanical debridement appears to be essential in the eradication of a wound biofilm. Topical antimicrobial agents and antibiotics may be effective in the treatment of the wound bed after debridement in the prevention of biofilm reformation.
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This polymicrobial bioburden in wounds exists predominantly in the form of a biofilm resistant to antimicrobial treatments.
“This polymicrobial bioburden in wounds exists predominantly in the form of a biofilm resistant to antimicrobial treatments [15], [16], [17], [18], [19].”
From Interactions of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Polymicrobial Wound Infection (2013) · cites this paper as [15]
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- Authors
- Black, C. E., & Costerton, J. W.
- Affiliations
- Marshfield Clinic (US)
- Allegheny General Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- Black, Carrie E.
- Venue
- Surgical Clinics of North America
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-12
- Volume
- 90
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1147-1160
- ISSN
- 0039-6109 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2116015046
- Cited by
- 99
- References
- 77
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 1.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Surgical Clinics of North America (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Wound Healing and Treatments
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Surgical site infection prevention
- Keywords
- wound biofilm, wound healing, biofilm matrix, topical antimicrobial agents, topical antibiotics, wound dressings, mechanical debridement, biofilm eradication
- MeSH terms
- Administration, Topical, Anti-Infective Agents, Bandages, Debridement, Ecology, Female, Humans, Male, Occlusive Dressings, Wound Healing, Wound Infection, Wounds and Injuries, Treatment Outcome, Biofilms, Risk Assessment
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