Efficacy of Topical Antimicrobial Agents Against Bacterial Isolates From Burn Wounds

Topically applied antimicrobials are key to the prevention of infection and mortality in the acute burn population. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vitro effectiveness of commercially available topical antimicrobials, as well as topical preparations that were compounded in our burn care institution. One-hundred twenty microorganisms were tested against these topical antimicrobials and in vitro effectiveness was observed. Results showed that compounded preparations of 1:1:1 + Double Antibiotic (1 part bacitracin: 1 part silver sulfadiazine: 100,000 units/g nystatin + 5 mg/g neomycin sulfate + 500 units/g polymyxin B) and 3:1 + Double Antibiotic (3 part bacitracin: 1 part silver sulfadiazine + 5mg/g neomycin sulfate + 500 units/g polymyxin B) were effective against 100% of the isolates tested. Other topical agents showed moderate effectiveness, thus demonstrating the need for multiple topical agents to reach a broad spectrum of microorganisms. However, the development of topical antimicrobial resistance needs further study.