The effect of bacteria on leg ulcer healing

Abstract

It is a common belief that bacterial infection will delay the healing of leg ulcers, or lead to a deterioration in the wound bed or surrounding skin. Despite many years of research however, there is still no agreement on whether this is in fact the case. This article reviews a selection of the available literature regarding the effects of bacteria on leg ulcer healing. Attempts have been made to distinguish differing levels of bacterial presence (e.g. contamination, colonization, infection), but these terms are still loosely applied and consequently ill-defined. Furthermore, the variety of treatment and assessment methods used in the various studies hampers their comparison. The article concludes that future studies should adhere to a uniform methodology in order to provide clear evidence on which to base practice.

Evaluation of Toxic Side Effects of Clinically Used Skin Antiseptics In Vitro

“…Open wounds, particularly in diabetic and immunosuppressed patients, are susceptible to invading pathogens, such as bacteria. Chronic wounds present an attractive environment for bacterial infection, and over 80% of leg ulcers are colonized by bacteria [1,2]. Bacterial colonization is associated with delayed wound healing, and causes severe morbidity up to sepsis and multi-organ failure [3,4].…”

Current understanding on venous leg ulcer

“…The ulcer should be swabbed for microbiological testing, as more than 80% of leg ulcers may be colonized with bacteria [16,17,18]. The most common micro wound are Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Hemolytic streptococci, which can slow the ulcer healing process [19].…”

“…The second layer is a compression elastic bandage, and the top layer is an adhesive bandage that adequately sustains all layers [26]. This compression can last in the place for seven days with 32 he ulcer should be swabbed for microbiological testing, as more than 80% of leg ulcers may be colonized with bacteria [16,17,18]. The most common micro-organisms infecting the wound are Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus ci, which can slow the ulcer healing process [19].…”

Vergleichende In-vitro-Studie zur Zytotoxizität klinisch eingesetzter Antiseptika

“…Insbesondere diabetische Wunden und Wunden immunsupprimierter Patienten stellen hier das größte Risiko dar. Mehr als 80% der Ulzera der unteren Extremität sind von Bakterien kolonisiert [3,8]. Die bakterielle Besiedelung ist eng mit einer verzögerten Wundheilung assoziiert.…”