Effect of Biofilm on Chronic Wound Infection

Biofilms, a layer of multifactorial symbionts that form on wound surfaces, are a common cause of chronic infection.

Managing biofilms is a key approach to treating chronic wound infections, and this article describes how to manage biofilms and prevent chronic wound infections.

How are biofilms formed?

When bacteria form a biofilm on a wound surface, they are protected in a sticky polysaccharide matrix that wards off an attack from the immune system, antibiotics, and other treatments. Bacterial strains in biofilms can cooperate with each other to form complex cell populations that can influence the surrounding environment.

To detect biofilm?

Wounds in which biofilm is present are typically characterized by being dark, odorous, exudate, and slow to heal. These are all signs of a wound indicating the presence of a bacterial polysaccharide matrix. In addition, the presence of biofilms can also be detected by bacterial culture methods.

To manage biofilms :

1. Physical removal: Use physical means such as wipers, solvents, and ultrasound to remove biofilms. This is a non-invasive treatment, but special care is required to avoid re-injury.

2. Chemical treatment: use acid, chlorine, iodine, and other disinfectants, or use antibiotics to kill bacteria and destroy the structure of biofilm. However, antibiotics may induce the development of resistant strains.

3. Biological treatment: use probiotics, such as lactic acid bacteria and yeast, to increase the number of non-pathogenic bacteria on the wound surface and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

4. Physical therapy: use laser, controlled compression, electric field, and sound waves to destroy the bacterial polysaccharide matrix.