Chronic Wound Infections
Failed treatment
Inadequate antibiotic levels at infection site
Inadequate antibiotic levels at infection site
Chronic wounds affect about 3% of the US population, up to 90% due to biofilm. These patients have typically undergone weeks or months of antibiotic therapy without relief.
Inadequate antibiotic levels at infection site
Inadequate antibiotic levels at infection site
Inadequate antibiotic levels at infection site
Antibiotics are given orally, IV or IM (into muscle). The antibiotic diffuses throughout the entire body resulting in levels at the infection site that are often too low to be effective.
Antibiotics may also cause toxic side effects.
Bacteria biofilm
Inadequate antibiotic levels at infection site
Bacteria biofilm
When bacteria infect an area, they secrete polysaccharides, proteins and DNA creating an extracellular matrix called biofilm. Within biofilm, bacteria are protected with increased resistance to antibiotics and the host's immune system.