Antibiotics in human hematoma and wound fluid.

Using the total hip replacement patient, we measured the level of antibiotic in the wound at the time of surgery, the wound drainage for 36 to 48 hours after surgery and over a 10 day period in incubated surgical debris obtained at the time of total hip replacement. The antibiotics sodium oxacillin, lincomycin hydrochloride and sodium cephalothin were administered in standard doses at 6 hour intervals. In one group of patients the antibiotic was begun at the time of surgery, in a second group the antibiotic was begun 24 hours after the completion of surgery. Sodium oxacillin, lincomycin hydrochloride and sodium cephalothin produce antibiotic levels in the venous serum consistently above the level obtained in the simultaneous would drainage specimens. Sodium oxacillin and lincomycin hydrochloride used as described in this study are capable of bathing the area of the surgical wound with concentrations of antibiotics above the minimal inhibitory concentrations. This is evidenced by the antibiotic levels above minimal inhibitory concentrations found in the wound drainage. Sodium cephalothin levels in the wound drainage were below measurable levels in 3 of 4 patients. Sodium oxacillin and lincomycin hydrochloride antibiotic levels in the surgical wound debris and simultaneous venous clotted specimens diminished progressively in a similiar manner indicating no additional effects of the surgical wound debris on the antibiotic's biologic effectiveness. Sodium cephalothin dropped below measurable levels in three days. Measurable levels of antibiotics appeared in the wound aspirate well above the minimal inhibitory concentration in patients receiving their initial dose of sodium oxacillin 24 hours after surgery.     

Glomerular capillary wall permeability to albumin and horseradish peroxidase

Summary: Tritium labelled albumin present in urine fractions from in vivo rat filtration studies and isolated perfused rat kidneys (IPK) has been shown by gel chromatographic analysis to be severely degraded (approximately 90%) to small peptides. the in vivo degradation of rat serum albumin and bovine serum albumin has been shown to be similar. the degradation has a marked influence on the fractional clearance analysis. the fractional clearance for albumin in the isolated perfused kidney as determined by Lowry assay was 0.00180 ± 0.0007, 0.0060 ± 0.0033 by Biuret assay and 0.0075 ± 0.0039 as measured by total radioactivity in the urine. Specific analysis of intact albumin by gel chromatography gave a fractional clearance of 0.00039 ± 0.00016, which is comparable to in vivo values. Degradation of albumin in the urine from IPK experiments was inhibited by 42% by including 150 mmol/L lysine, an inhibitor of tubular cell uptake, in the perfusate. Inhibition of degradation of anionic horseradish peroxidase was also observed. These studies demonstrate that albumin is degraded during renal passage probably by tubular cells. In a series of isolated perfused kidney systems using different inhibitors of protein tubular uptake, namely lysine, ammonium chloride, chloroquine and cytochalasin B, we estimate the glomerular sieving coefficient of albumin to be approximately 0.074 as determined using [³H]-albumin. This glomerular sieving coefficient is considerably higher than originally thought, yet it is in accord with the size selectivity characteristics of the glomerular capillary wall as determined by transport probes calibrated for hydrodynamic size by gel exclusion chromatography. the tubular inhibitors also destroyed charge selectivity of the anionic and neutral forms of albumin and horseradish peroxidase. the tubular inhibitors were characterized in terms of their effect on tubular lysozyme uptake and glomerular size selectivity as determined using polydisperse dextran fractions. By accounting for the destination of all the tritium labelled albumin in the urine, perfusate, whole kidney and isolated glomeruli we conclude that a major rapid transtubular cell pathway must exist that directs albumin from the tubular lumen to either the renal lymphatics or peritubular capillaries or both. This pathway appears to be an overload pathway because since the albumin concentration in the perfusate was lowered from 50 mg/mL to 2.0 mg/mL it was not active. the pathway is also inactive for other proteins, such as horseradish peroxidase, that are at relatively low concentration.     

Twenty‐four–hour normothermic perfusion of discarded human kidneys with urine recirculation

Transportable normothermic kidney perfusion for 24 hours or longer could enable viability assessment of marginal grafts, increased organ use, and improved transplant logistics. Eleven clinically declined kidneys were perfused normothermically, with 6 being from donors after brain death (median cold ischemia time 33 ± 36.9 hours) and 5 being from donors after circulatory death (36.2 ± 38.3 hours). Three kidneys were perfused using Ringer’s lactate to replace excreted urine volume, and 8 kidneys were perfused using urine recirculation to maintain perfusate volume without fluid replenishment. In all cases, normothermic perfusion either maintained or slightly improved the histopathologically assessed tubular condition, and there was effective urine production in kidneys from both donors after brain death and donors after circulatory death (2367 ± 1798 mL vs 744.4 ± 198.4 mL, respectively; P = .44). Biomarkers, neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin, and kidney injury molecule‐1 were successfully detected and quantified in the perfusate. All kidneys with urine recirculation were readily perfused for 24 hours (n = 8) and exhibited physiological perfusate sodium levels (140.7 ± 1.2 mmol/L), while kidneys without urine recirculation (n = 3) achieved a reduced normothermic perfusion time of 7.7 ± 1.5 hours and significantly higher perfusate sodium levels (159.6 ± 4.63 mmol/:, P < .01). Normothermic machine perfusion of human kidneys for 24 hours appears to be feasible, and urine recirculation was found to facilitate the maintenance of perfusate volume and homeostasis.     

Evaluation of angiogenesis,epithelialisation and microcirculation after application of polyhexanide,chitosan and sodium chloride in rodents

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of polyhexanide and a new developed chitin‐based wound dressing on skin microcirculation, epithelialisation and angiogenesis. A full‐thickness dermal layer extending to the underlying cartilage was excised on the dorsal side of hairless mice (n = 27; 2·3 ± 0·3 mm²). A polyhexanide ointment, a chitosan solution and a sodium chloride group as control were analysed using intravital fluorescence microscopy. Angiogenesis, epithelialisation and microcirculatory standard parameters were measured over a time period of 20 days. The non‐perfused area is regarded as a parameter for angiogenesis and showed the following results: on days 12, 16 and 20, the sodium chloride group was significantly superior to chitosan solution (P < 0·05) and, on days 8, 12, 16 and 20, the polyhexanide group was superior to chitosan solution (P < 0·05). The epithelialisation was measured significantly faster in the polyhexanide and control group on day 8 versus chitosan solution. Whereas polyhexanide and sodium chloride were nearly completely epithelialised, treatment with chitosan solution showed still an open wound of 11% of the initial wound size. Altogether, we could demonstrate the advantageous effects of a polyhexanide ointment on microcirculation, angiogenesis and epithelialisation. Chitosan solution appears to inhibit angiogenesis and delays epithelialisation. Further studies in different models would be worthwhile to confirm these results.     

The open method of surgical treatment of suppurative wounds

Treatment of purulent wounds by the open method in 280 patients was analysed. It is shown that purposeful use of medicinal agents in accordance with the phases of the wound process is a determinant and influences the duration of treatment. Necrectomy in combination with the topical use of ointments on a water-soluble polyethylene glycol basis (levosin, levomekol, 5% dioxidine ointment, 10% mafenide acetate ointment) produces the most favorable effect on the course of the wound process.     

An isolated rabbit kidney preparation for use in organ preservation research.

An isolated rabbit kidney preparation has been developed principally for use as a laboratory assay to compare experimental renal preservation techniques. Perfusion was carried out at 37°C and an arterial pressure of 110 mm Hg using bloodless perfusates containing bovine serum albumin, dextran, hydroxyethyl starch, or Pluronic F108. Glomerular filtration rate and protein leakage were determined with each perfusate. It was found that low filtration rates and high degrees of protein leakage were obtained with perfusates containing either albumin, dextran, or a mixture of these colloids, but both pluronic and hydroxyethyl starch gave acceptable glomerular filtration rates and relatively low protein leakage. The pluronic perfusate was selected for further study.Isolated rabbit kidneys had a greatly reduced vascular resistance, and medullary flow was increased to a proportionally greater degree than cortical flow. The concentration gradient of Na+ normally found between cortex and medulla was lost, and this was associated with an inability of perfused kidneys to effect osmolal concentration of urine. Oxygen consumption was within the limits published for the organ in vivo, and during perfusion the total nucleotide content of renal tissue was well maintained, but there was a small decrease in the ATP/ADP ratio.Function improved steadily during the first hour of perfusion to give a GFR during the second hour that was close to the physiological norm. The fractional reabsorption of water, glucose, and sodium reached maxima of 63, 80, and 67%, respectively. Although the performance of the preparation is subphysiological, it is stable during the time required for the comparison of preserved kidneys and is reproducible. The preparation has already yielded valuable data in this field.     

哺乳期急性乳腺炎病原菌分布及耐药性分析

目的了解哺乳期急性乳腺炎患者病原菌分布特点及耐药状况，指导临床合理使用抗菌药物。方法收集哺乳期妇女局部穿刺抽出的脓性标本200份进行分离鉴定和药敏试验，用法国梅里埃公司牛产的ATB鉴定系统进行细菌菌种鉴定，用K—B纸片扩散法做药敏试验。结果200份标本中共分离出98株病原菌，分离率为49％，其中葡萄球菌91株，占92．9％，链球菌4株，占4．1％，大肠杆菌3株，占3．1％。葡萄球菌对青霉素的耐药率为89．01％，对苯唑西林的敏感率为85．7l％。对万古霉素、环丙沙星、莫西沙星、复方磺胺甲恶唑、庆大霉素、头孢唑啉、四环素、克林霉素的敏感牢分别为100％、94．51％、87．91％、73．63％、63．74％、60．44％、59．34％、42．86％。结论哺乳期急性乳腺炎患者感染的主要病原菌为金黄色葡萄球菌．对青霉素的耐药率较高，但对苯唑西林敏感率较高，凶此苯唑西林可以治疗大部分由葡萄球菌引起的乳腺炎。     

THE EFFECT OF INSULIN AND HYDROCORTISONE ON THE ISOLATED RAT LIVER

Isolated rat livers were perfused at 35°C with bovine serum albumin (40 g/l) in Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer, or with the same solution containing insulin (0.22 × 10?⁶ mol/l), hydrocortisone (0.068 × 10?³ moll), or both hormones together. Observations on the synthesis of bile and on perfusate levels of potassium, aspartate aminotransferase, urea and glucose showed that the presence of insulin and/or hydrocortisone had no beneficial effect on the perfused rat liver in vitro. There is little justification, therefore, for the addition of these hormones to solutions used for preservation of the isolated liver.     

A COMPARISON OF FLUSHING FLUIDS FOR INITIAL PERFUSION OF KIDNEYS FOR TRANSPLANTATION

Four solutions for initial flushing of kidneys prior to transplantation were tested under conditions designed to resemble those of clinical cadaveric donor renal transplantation. The experimental model was the dog subjected to bilateral nephrectomy with renal autograft. Kidney grafts were subjected to 15 minutes' anoxia in vivo, 30 minutes' warm ischaemia at 37° C ex vivo, and two hours' cold ischaemia before reimplantation. The four solutions used were Collins (Cs), Pertudex (P), hyperosmolar citrate (HC), and a solution of bovine albumin containing dog red blood cells (BBA). Effects of the flushing fluids were compared by parameters relating to dog survival, renal function, and serum enzyme levels. With all parameters studied the best results occurred in HC perfused kidneys. Results with BBA perfusion were marginally worse, while C3 perfused kidneys were again inferior. P perfused kidneys clearly did least well. The results support the use of HC for clinical application.     

A Modified Apparatus for Dual,Sterilized, Isolated Perfusion of the Rat Liver

The isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) has proven to be a useful model for the study of physiology and pathology of the liver. For research in nonparenchymal cell (NPC) function that includes measurement of cytokine production (eg, TNF), it is necessary to have a sterilized perfusion system. We have modified the IPRL apparatus so as to be able to perform sterile perfusions of two livers simultaneously. The perfusion apparatus is a recirculating closed system in which the oxygenator is a plastic container separated into two chambers by a fenestrated plastic wall. A disposable macropore filter functions as both a bubble trap and perfusate filter. The sterilization process is done by immersing the various components in Benz-All solution. The tubing is disinfected by irrigation with 10% Clorox followed by 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The perfusate used is filter-sterilized Krebs buffer solution containing 0.5 g Mandol/250 mL perfusate. Not only can two organs be conveniently perfused simultaneously, but the entire system can be reliably sterilized for up to 20 consecutive perfusions. Bile production is higher and more stable with less leakage of intracellular enzymes. Many of the components are disposable and can be altered to suit the needs of a particular experiment.     

Comparison of colloids for use in isolated normothermic perfusion of rabbit kidneys

Rabbit kidneys were perfused for 2 hr at 37°C with four solutions, each containing one of the following synthetic colloids: Pluronic F108, hydroxyethyl starch, dextran of mean molecular weight 150,000, or Haemaccel. All were made up to a strength of 3% (w/v) in a balanced salt solution similar in ionic composition to rabbit plasma. Samples of urine and arterial perfusate were taken at 20-min intervals for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (assumed to be equal to the inulin clearance), albumin leakage, and glucose and sodium reabsorption. The clearance of sodium iodohippurate was also measured in the kidneys perfused with the dextran solution.Pluronic, hydroxyethyl starch, and Haemaccel all produced similar glomerular filtration rates, but the kidneys perfused with dextran 150 gave higher values than the other three groups. Protein leakage was highest with hydroxyethyl starch and least with dextran 150 and Haemaccel. Varying the colloid composition of the perfusate did not have any marked effect on the reabsorptive capacities for glucose, sodium, or water, although Pluronic gave better sustained function. The dextran perfusate was shown to permit the active secretion of sodium iodohippurate indicated by a clearance significantly higher than that for inulin. It was therefore concluded that dextran 150 provided the best functional characteristics of the colloids tested.     

肛愈宁软膏促进肛周脓肿术后模型创面愈合的实验研究

目的探讨肛愈宁软膏对大鼠肛周脓肿术后模型创面愈合的影响。方法将64只Wistar大鼠随机分为肛愈宁组和马应龙组,每组32只。制备大鼠肛周脓肿术后创面模型,药物干预后,分别于造模后第3、7、10、14d取创面肉芽组织,观察病理变化。结果在创面愈合早期（3～7d）,肛愈宁组毛细血管数量及成纤维细胞数量大于马应龙组（P〈0.05）。结论肛愈宁软膏对肛周脓肿术后模型创面肉芽组织的生长有明显的促进作用,能显著促进创面的愈合。     

The effect of some ointment bases on the systemic absorption of tobramycin from various wound surfaces of burned patients

Three kinds of 0·2 per cent tobramycin ointment were prepared with tobramycin and 3 ointment bases (cream, polyethylene glycol and hydrophilic petrolatum), and applied to the various wound surfaces of 5 burned patients. The systemic absorptions of tobramycin were compared with the values of the tentative AUC (area under the curve of tobramycin blood level, μg.h/ml.g) until 12 hours after the applications, by determining tobramycin level in blood. Similar values of AUC from the cream and polyethylene glycol ointments were obtained, while that of hydrophilic petrolatum ointment was very low. The systemic absorption of tobramycin from the polyethylene glycol ointment was studied when the ointment was applied to the wound surfaces of 7 patients with partial-thickness bum, 9 patients with full-thickness burn and 6 patients with burn ulcer. The mean values of the tentative AUC of patients with partial-thickness burn, full-thickness burn and burn ulcer were found to be 0·06, 0·03 and 0·15, respectively. These results showed that cream and polyethylene glycol bases should be used carefully as a vehicle of tobramycin ointments because of the rapid systemic absorption of tobramycin from human burn wounds, especially burn ulcer.     

Relative delivery efficiency and convenience of spray and ointment formulations of papain/urea/chlorophyllin enzymatic wound therapies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative delivery efficiency and user preference for spray and ointment formulations containing papain, urea, and chlorophyllin copper complex sodium (papain/urea/chlorophyllin copper complex). METHODS: Participants applied both a spray and 3 ointment formulations of papain/urea/chlorophyllin copper complex to identical wound models. The average amount of product used per application was determined by weighing the bottle or tube before the study and after completion of the study. Participants were also asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their preferences for the two formulations. RESULTS: The amount of product used per wound application was 30% less with the spray formulation; resulting in 29% more wound applications per container. Over 80% of the study participants found the spray easier and quicker to use than the ointments. CONCLUSIONS: The spray formulation of papain/urea/chlorophyllin copper complex resulted in less product use per wound application than did 3 different ointment formulations. Participants expressed a favorable impression of practical benefits of the spray formulation including a reduced risk of wound contamination.     

Myocardial depression. The effect of Ca++ and calcium flux during sepsis

Previous studies from this laboratory described myocardial depression in an arterially perfused rabbit interventricular septum following perfusion with acute septic plasma. Calcium is critical for maintenance of cardiac contractility on a beat-to-beat basis. We have investigated calcium flux in the septal tissue to determine whether altered calcium flux explains the impaired cardiac function during sepsis. Twenty-two rabbit septa were perfused with control and septic perfusate (cryo-precipitated plasma + RBCs) and calcium flux determined in seven experiments. Perfusate cations (Ca++, Na+, K+, and H+) were measured, tissue function and arterial pressure were monitored. Developed tension decreased 46%, acceleration of tension change fell 42%, and arterial pressure decreased 26%, all highly significant. All septa recovered after return to control perfusate. The septic perfusate Ca++ was significantly lower than control perfusate, while K+ and H+ were significantly elevated. Ion flux studies, however, could not demonstrate altered calcium flux associated with the depressed contractility.     

Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation produced by the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway in normal and ischemic bone

We used an experimental model of the perfused isolated rabbit tibia to investigate the vasodilatation produced by nitric oxide in the circulation of bone. Tibiae were perfused at a constant flow rate while the perfusion pressure was monitored continuously. Perfusion pressure was raised by the addition of noradrenaline to the perfusate, and dose responses were measured for bolus doses of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. N^w-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, was then added to the perfusate at a concentration of 10⁴ M, and the dose responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were repeated. Measurements were performed on groups of bones after 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours of normothermic ischemia (n 5,4,6, and 9, respectively). Both acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside produced significant vasodilatation after 0 and 6 hours' ischemia, but no significant response was observed after 12 or 24 hours of ischemia. The vasodilatation produced by acetylcholine was significantly attenuated when L-NAME was added to the perfusate, but the vasodilatation produced by sodium nitroprusside remained unchanged. These findings confirm endothelial production of NO by stimulation of muscarinic receptors on the endothelial cells in bone and indicate that vasodilatation via the L-arginine/NO pathway remains viable for 6 hours after normothermic ischemia.     

Nitric oxide and thromboxane A2-mediated pulmonary microvascular dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the lung releases nitric oxide (NO) in response to thromboxane A2 and to examine the local release of NO as a protective compensatory mechanism by which the lung responds to the proinflammatory and vasoactive effects of thromboxane A2. DESIGN: The lungs of anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused in vitro with Krebs-Henseleit buffer that contained an inhibitor of NO synthase (nitroglycerinenitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME]) (10(-4) mol/L), an NO donor (sodium nitroprusside) (10(-8) mol/L), or perfusate alone. Following equilibration, the thromboxane A2 receptor agonist 9,11-dideoxy-11alpha, 9alpha-epoxymethanoprostaglandin F2alpha(U-46619) (7.1 X 10(-8) mol/L) was added to the perfusate. Fifteen minutes later, the capillary filtration coefficient, pulmonary arterial pressure, and vascular resistance were measured. Pulmonary NO release was assessed by quantitating the release of cyclic guanosine monophosphate into the perfusate. RESULTS: The capillary filtration coefficient of lungs exposed to U-46619 was 3.5 times greater than that of lungs perfused with buffer alone (P<.05). The addition of sodium nitroprusside reduced the increase in capillary filtration coefficient associated with U-46619 by 50% (P<.05) whereas L-NAME had no effect. The addition of U-46619 to the perfused lung caused a 3.0+/-0.4 mm Hg increase in pulmonary artery pressure (P<.01) with a corresponding rise in total vascular resistance (P<.05). This effect was exacerbated by L-NAME (P<.05) and inhibited by sodium nitroprusside (P<.05). Exposure of the isolated lungs to U-46619 caused a 4-fold increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels within the perfusate. CONCLUSION: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that NO release may be an important protective mechanism by which the lung responds to thromboxane A2.     

Nitric Oxide Ventilation of Rat Lungs from Non‐Heart‐Beating Donors Improves Posttransplant Function

Lungs from non‐heart‐beating donors (NHBDs) would enhance the donor pool. Ex vivo perfusion and ventilation of NHBD lungs allows functional assessment and treatment. Ventilation of rat NHBD lungs with nitric oxide (NO) during ischemia, ex vivo perfusion and after transplant reduced ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) and improved lung function posttransplant. One hour after death, Sprague‐Dawley rats were ventilated for another hour with either 60% O2 or 60% O2/40 ppm NO. Lungs were then flushed with 20‐mL cold Perfadex, stored cold for 1 h, perfused in an ex vivo circuit with Steen solution and warmed to 37°C, ventilated 15 min, perfusion‐cooled to 20°C, then flushed with cold Perfadex and stored cold. The left lung was transplanted and ventilated separately. Recipients were sacrificed after 1 h. NO‐ventilation was associated with significantly reduced wet:dry weight ratio in the ex vivo circuit, better oxygenation, reduced pulmonary vascular resistance, increased lung tissue levels of cGMP, maintained endothelial NOS eNOS, and reduced increases in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO‐ventilation had no effect on MAP kinases or NF‐κB activation. NO administration to NHBDs before and after lung retrieval may improve function of lungs from NHBDs.     

重组人表皮生长因子软膏对烧伤创面修复的促进作用

目的　探讨重组人表皮生长因子 (rh EGF)软膏治疗烧伤的有效浓度 ,并观察对创面愈合的促进作用。方法　将 12 0例烧伤患者分为两部分 ,第一部分选择 15例浅 °烧伤患者 ,采用开放实验 ,分三组每组 5例 ,进行三种不同浓度 rh EGF软膏 (0 .5 μg/ g,10 μg/ g,5 0 μg/ g)的疗效比较 ,确定临床使用浓度。第二部分 ,选择浅 °和深 °烧伤患者10 5例为试验对象 ,在第一部分研究的基础上选取最适药浓度 ,进行多中心随机双盲实验 ,所有患者均采用自身对照。以创面愈合为指标 ,判断创面愈合时间 ,并观察创面动态愈合率及不良反应。结果　第一部分患者 10 μg/ g和 5 0 μg/ g组的创面愈合时间差异不显著但较 0 .5 μg/ g组明显缩短 ,有统计学意义 (P<0 .0 1)。第二部分选用 10 μg/ g浓度的 rh EGF软膏与水溶性软膏基质进行随机双盲研究。浅 °创面用药组愈合时间为 (8.39± 2 .2 5 )天 ,空白对照组为 (9.5 2± 2 .5 6 )天 ,组间比较具有统计学意义 (P<0 .0 1) ;用药组不同时间内的愈合率较对照组明显提高 ;深 °创面愈合时间用药组、对照组分别为 (16 .80± 2 .99)天 ,(18.2 7± 3.17)天 ,组间比较有统计学意义 (P<0 .0 1)。结论　rh EGF软膏对烧伤创面有明显的促进修复作用 ,且 10 μg/ g的浓度较为理想     

An in vitro biofilm model to examine the effect of antibiotic ointments on biofilms produced by burn wound bacterial isolates

Purpose

Topical treatment of burn wounds is essential as reduced blood supply in the burned tissues restricts the effect of systemic antibiotics. On the burn surface, microorganisms exist within a complex structure termed a biofilm, which enhances bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents significantly. Since bacteria differ in their ability to develop biofilms, the susceptibility of these biofilms to topically applied antibiotics varies, making it essential to identify which topical antibiotics efficiently disrupt or prevent biofilms produced by these pathogens. Yet, a simple in vitro assay to compare the susceptibility of biofilms produced by burn wound isolates to different topical antibiotics has not been reported.

Methods

Biofilms were developed by inoculating cellulose disks on agar plates with burn wound isolates and incubating for 24 h. The biofilms were then covered for 24 h with untreated gauze or gauze coated with antibiotic ointment and remaining microorganisms were quantified and visualized microscopically.

Results

Mupirocin and triple antibiotic ointments significantly reduced biofilms produced by the Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa burn wound isolates tested, as did gentamicin ointment, with the exception of one P. aeruginosa clinical isolate.

Conclusions

The described assay is a practical and reproducible approach to identify topical antibiotics most effective in eliminating biofilms produced by burn wound isolates.