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Diagnosis and Treatment of Infections in the Burn Patient
David G Greenhalgh1,2, John L Kiley3,4
1Burn Department, Shriners Children's Northern California, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Abstract:
Infection is very common in burn patients because they lose the primary barrier from microorganism invasion, the skin. While there are attempts to prevent infections, topical antimicrobials and systemic prophylaxis tend to lead to more resistant organisms. After the initial resuscitation, the most common cause of death is from sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The diagnosis is difficult in the burn population because the constant exposure from the open wound leads to an inflammatory response that leads to persistent hypermetabolism. This paper reviews the current understanding and treatment of infection and sepsis in burns.
Insights
Burn patients are highly susceptible to infection due to skin loss. This review covers current understanding and treatment of infection and sepsis in burns, addressing challenges like antimicrobial resistance and diagnosis difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Infectious diseases
- Burn care
- Critical care medicine
Background:
- Burn patients lack the skin's protective barrier, increasing infection risk.
- Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern due to topical and systemic treatments.
- Sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome are leading causes of mortality post-resuscitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of infection and sepsis in burn patients.
- To discuss contemporary treatment strategies for burn-related infections.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on burn infections and sepsis.
- Analysis of treatment protocols and outcomes.
- Discussion of diagnostic complexities in hypermetabolic burn patients.
Main Results:
- Infection remains a primary concern in burn care, often leading to sepsis.
- Antimicrobial resistance complicates infection management.
- Diagnosing sepsis in burn patients is challenging due to inflammatory responses and hypermetabolism.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of burn infections requires addressing antimicrobial resistance.
- Improved diagnostic tools are needed for early sepsis detection in burn patients.
- A comprehensive approach to infection and sepsis is crucial for improving outcomes in burn care.
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