The use of copper nanoparticles to reduce bioburden in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

Background:  Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) depend on the ability to reduce the bioburden of the wound. Specialized dressings employing the biocidal properties of copper have recently been introduced to the market.  

Case 1: A 63-year-old Caucasian male with past medical history significant for DM, CAD, and PVD treated for a plantar foot DFU of 11 months duration. The subject was treated with enzymatic debriding agent. Over the course of 1 month, the subject applied 2-layer antibacterial dressing embedded with copper oxide on a daily basis.  Baseline and subsequent wound bioburden were analyzed using MolecuLight imaging device which demonstrated significant reduction in wound bed flora. The subject’s wound also reduced in size by 63% in 8 weeks duration.  

Case 2: A 64-year-old African American female with past medical history significant for DM treated for heel DFU complicated by osteomyelitis resulting in hospitalization and surgical debridement in the recent past. Baseline flora imaging demonstrated a significant bioburden prior to initial application of copper dressings. Subject wound dressings were changed 3-4 times per week. The wound reduced by 22% and 82% by 4 and 8 weeks respectively.    

Conclusion:  Copper nanoparticle infused dressings have the potential to impact chronic wound healing by disrupting the wound bed bacterial colonies.