A Highly Efficacious Electrical Biofilm Treatment System for Combating Chronic Wound Bacterial Infections

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Infectious Diseases
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Biofilm infections are prevalent in chronic wounds, impeding healing and posing treatment challenges.
• Current therapies like debridement and antibiotics have limitations and significant patient/healthcare burdens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel electrical antibiofilm treatment system for chronic wound infections.
• To demonstrate the system's efficacy in debriding biofilm and enhancing antibiotic delivery.

Main Methods:

• The system utilizes high-intensity current (75 mA cm⁻²) for simultaneous biofilm debridement and enhanced antibiotic delivery.
• Ex vivo skin wounds infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm were treated.
• In vivo efficacy was assessed in a diabetic mouse wound infection model.

Main Results:

• Ex vivo MRSA biofilm bacterial count reduced from 10¹⁰ to 10⁵·² CFU g⁻¹ after short treatments (≤2 h).
• In vivo, MRSA biofilm bacterial count decreased from 10⁹·⁰ to 10⁴·⁶ CFU g⁻¹ at 1 day and 10³·³ CFU g⁻¹ at 7 days post-treatment.
• The hydrogel ionic circuit design improved in vivo safety compared to conventional devices.

Conclusions:

• The electrical antibiofilm treatment system offers a quick, safe, and highly effective solution for chronic wound biofilm infections.
• This technology has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with chronic wound management.