Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Microbial Colonization of Burn Wounds: An Observational Study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Burn Care Research
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• Microbial colonization of burn wounds is a significant cause of infection, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
• Understanding the incidence and risk factors for burn wound colonization is crucial for effective patient management.
• This study focuses on a provincial referral center within a single-payer healthcare system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of positive burn wound colonization in adult patients admitted to a tertiary burn center.
• To identify demographic, injury-related, and clinical risk factors associated with burn wound colonization.
• To inform clinical monitoring and future research strategies for burn wound infections.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of adult patients (≥18 years) with primary burn diagnoses from January 2011 to 2021.
• Screening of microbiology records to identify culture-positive burn wounds.
• Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to assess risk factors for colonization.

Main Results:

• The study included 634 participants, predominantly male (72.1%) with flame injuries (62%).
• The incidence of positive burn wound colonization was 27.3%.
• Risk factors for colonization included increasing age, diabetes, larger total body surface area (TBSA) burns, full-thickness burns, inhalation injury, and involvement of the lower limb and trunk.

Conclusions:

• The study provides an estimated incidence of primary burn wound colonization and identifies significant associated risk factors.
• Clinicians should heighten monitoring for patients exhibiting identified risk factors to prevent progression to clinical infection.
• Further research is recommended to develop strategies for mitigating burn wound colonization in high-risk patients.