Electrifying Wound Care with a Unique Antimicrobial Dressing

Introduction: A majority of chronic wounds are plagued by the formation of adherent biofilm. Biofilm develops when colonies of surface-attached bacteria form connections and exude a protective extra polymeric substance. These mature biofilms are credited with adverse clinical outcomes and delayed wound healing. Biofilms are difficult to disrupt and can reform very quickly. A unique electroceutical (EC) wound dressing consists of elemental silver and zinc embedded in the product surface is now commercially available. In the presence of moisture, the dressing generates a micro-current (0.5-0.9 volts) that minimizes or prevents the growth of biofilm producing microorganisms. All gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria carry a negative charge and are therefore attracted to the positive pole containing silver. Silver then binds to and denatures the proteins and destroys the respiratory function of the microbes. The synergistic antimicrobial effect of the co-impregnated Zinc causes an alteration in the microbial cell membrane permeability contributing to cell destruction.

Methods: In this 5 patient case series the author demonstrates the antimicrobial effect of the EC when used to treat bacterially contaminated chronic wounds of mixed etiology. All wound exhibited positive bacterial fluorescence signal via the MolecuLight imaging device at baseline prior to therapy with EC. The wounds were dressing with the EC and dry inert secondary dressings. The dressings were changed every other day by the patient or caregiver. The wounds were then re-imaged one week later to determine if there was a notable change in bacterial fluorescence.

Results: All 5 wounds in this case study showed a marked decrease in bacterial fluorescence in just one week of EC therapy. This early evidence shows that the EC dressing can decrease harmful levels of bacteria in chronic lower extremity wounds of varying etiology.