Burn Wound Infections

Abstract

SUMMARYBurns are one of the most common and devastating forms of trauma. Patients with serious thermal injury require immediate specialized care in order to minimize morbidity and mortality. Significant thermal injuries induce a state of immunosuppression that predisposes burn patients to infectious complications. A current summary of the classifications of burn wound infections, including their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, is given. Early excision of the eschar has substantially decreased the incidence of invasive burn wound infection and secondary sepsis, but most deaths in severely burn-injured patients are still due to burn wound sepsis or complications due to inhalation injury. Burn patients are also at risk for developing sepsis secondary to pneumonia, catheter-related infections, and suppurative thrombophlebitis. The introduction of silver-impregnated devices (e.g., central lines and Foley urinary catheters) may reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections due to prolonged placement of these devices. Improved outcomes for severely burned patients have been attributed to medical advances in fluid resuscitation, nutritional support, pulmonary and burn wound care, and infection control practices.

Reactive oxygen: A novel antimicrobial mechanism for targeting biofilm-associated infection

“…Colonisation of fungi in wounds is associated with the use of broadspectrum antibiotics [21]. In patients with cutaneous trauma, Fusarium spp.…”

Evaluation of genipin-crosslinked chitosan hydrogels as a potential carrier for silver sulfadiazine nanocrystals

“…Infection of wound surfaces often causes delayed healing or nonhealing of the wound, which results in mortality [2]. It was reported that infection was responsible for 75% of all deaths in patients with burns exceeding 40% of the total body surface area [3].…”

Garlic ointment inhibits biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens from burn wounds

“…Immediately following wounding, whether it is caused by a severe burn, trauma or surgery, the affected area is at risk of colonization by a variety of micro-organisms, which proliferate within the damaged tissues and establish an infection (Church et al, 2006;Kooistra-Smid et al, 2009;Posluszny et al, 2011;Rafla & Tredget, 2011). These microorganisms may come from the host's skin, respiratory or gastrointestinal flora (Church et al, 2006;Posluszny et al, 2011;Rafla & Tredget, 2011).…”

“…Damage to the skin and its underlying connective tissues breaches its innate physical and chemical protective mechanisms (Church et al, 2006;Posluszny et al, 2011). Immediately following wounding, whether it is caused by a severe burn, trauma or surgery, the affected area is at risk of colonization by a variety of micro-organisms, which proliferate within the damaged tissues and establish an infection (Church et al, 2006;Kooistra-Smid et al, 2009;Posluszny et al, 2011;Rafla & Tredget, 2011).…”