Polymicrobial wound infections: pathophysiology and current therapeutic approaches

Area of Science:

• Wound healing
• Microbiology
• Infectious diseases

Background:

• Acute and chronic wounds are a global health concern.
• Dermal wounds are frequently colonized by polymicrobial biofilms, especially chronic wounds.
• Biofilms impede wound repair processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the role of polymicrobial biofilms in wound infection development and progression.
• To review current and future strategies for preventing and treating polymicrobial wound infections.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on polymicrobial biofilms in wound infections.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which biofilms affect wound healing.
• Evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for biofilm-related wound infections.

Main Results:

• Polymicrobial biofilms are prevalent in chronic wounds and contribute to delayed healing.
• Specific microbial interactions within biofilms exacerbate infection and inflammation.
• Current treatments face challenges in eradicating biofilms effectively.

Conclusions:

• A deeper understanding of biofilm mechanisms is crucial for effective wound management.
• Optimizing biofilm detection and prevention strategies can improve chronic wound healing outcomes.
• Novel therapeutic approaches are needed to combat polymicrobial biofilm infections in wounds.