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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection
Published on: August 23, 2022
[Experimental study on the antibacterial effects of zirconium phosphate gauze loaded with silver on the common
Jin Tang1, Jun Wu, Shao-xuan Yi
1Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China.
Objective:
To investigate the antibacterial effects of zirconium phosphate gauze loaded with silver on rat burn wounds seeded with commonly seen bacteria.
Methods:
Wistar rats were employed in the study and were scalded and infected. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of zirconium phosphate loaded with silver were determined by double dilution in tubes. The effect on wound healing and the subeschar bacterial count of the rat burn wounds were observed after the wounds had been covered by gauze loaded with zirconium phosphate and silver, and also with the gauze which has been rinsed for 20 times.
Results:
The MIC of silver loaded zirconium phosphate on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli were 8, 8 and 16 mg/L, respectively, while the MBC were 16, 8 and 32 mg/L, respectively. The subeschar bacterial count in the burn wounds with the gauze with silver loaded zirconium phosphate was ten times lower than that in those which were treated with gauze with SD-Ag and 100 times lower than that with ordinary gauze. But there was no difference in the bacterial count between the wounds which were treated with fresh gauze with silver loaded zirconium phosphate and that with the gauze which has been rinsed for 20 times (P > 0.05). Furthermore, wound healing seemed to be better with the gauze with silver loaded zirconium phosphate when compared with those by the other two kinds of gauze.
Conclusion:
The silver loaded zirconium phosphate was found to be bacteriocidal against bacteria commonly seen in the burn wounds.
Insights
Silver loaded zirconium phosphate gauze effectively combats common burn wound bacteria, promoting better healing. This antibacterial dressing significantly reduces bacterial counts compared to standard treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Wound Care
Context:
- Burn wounds are susceptible to bacterial infections, complicating healing.
- Developing effective antimicrobial strategies is crucial for managing burn injuries.
- Silver and zirconium phosphate are known for their antimicrobial properties.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of zirconium phosphate gauze loaded with silver (Ag-ZrP) against common burn wound pathogens.
- To assess the impact of Ag-ZrP gauze on bacterial load and wound healing in a rat burn model.
Summary:
- Silver loaded zirconium phosphate demonstrated potent antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli.
- Ag-ZrP gauze significantly reduced subeschar bacterial counts in rat burn wounds compared to control gauze and SD-Ag gauze.
- No significant difference in bacterial count was observed between fresh and rinsed Ag-ZrP gauze, suggesting sustained efficacy.
Impact:
- Ag-ZrP gauze shows promise as an effective antimicrobial dressing for burn wound infections.
- The study highlights the potential of combining silver and zirconium phosphate for enhanced wound management.
- Improved wound healing was observed with Ag-ZrP gauze, indicating its therapeutic potential.
