Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
A Standardized Procedure of Dressing Management for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Published on: March 14, 2025
Control of invasive Pseudomonas burn wound infection with mafenide acetate electrospun wound dressing
Mia Mae Kiamco1, Eliza A Sebastian1, S L Rajasekhar Karna1
1Combat Wound Care Group, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
Invasive wound infections are a leading cause of mortality in burn patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is among the most prevalent organisms associated with invasive burn wound infections. It is most effectively prevented by Sulfamylon® cream. The active compound, mafenide acetate, enters the wound rapidly and achieves the local concentration of 2- to 5- fold above the minimal inhibitory concentration for P. aeruginosa at 1-2 hrs. However, within 8-10 hrs, the mafenide acetate concentration rapidly declines to subinhibitory concentrations, and the treatment needs to be reapplied. In this study, we described the development of an electrospun burn wound dressing that could sustain the treatment effect by continuously releasing mafenide acetate at therapeutic concentrations into burn wounds for ≥ 24 hrs. We demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy that the mafenide acetate electrospun wound dressing consisted of smooth and uniform fibers. The extent and rate of mafenide acetate release from the dressing were determined in vitro using drug release and skin permeation tests and in vivo using a rat burn model. Finally, the mafenide acetate electrospun wound dressing's antimicrobial activity in vitro and its capability to control invasive Pseudomonas infection in vivo was determined using a modified AATCC 100 test and the modified Walker-Mason scalded rat burn model, respectively.
Insights
A novel electrospun burn wound dressing continuously releases mafenide acetate for over 24 hours, effectively controlling Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and improving burn patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Wound Healing Technologies
Background:
- Invasive burn wound infections, often caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are a major cause of mortality.
- Current treatments like mafenide acetate cream require frequent reapplication due to rapid drug concentration decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an electrospun burn wound dressing for sustained release of mafenide acetate.
- To evaluate the dressing's ability to maintain therapeutic drug concentrations and control Pseudomonas infections for extended periods.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an electrospun wound dressing incorporating mafenide acetate.
- In vitro drug release and skin permeation studies.
- In vivo efficacy testing using a rat burn model to assess antimicrobial activity and infection control.
Main Results:
- The electrospun dressing demonstrated smooth and uniform fiber morphology via scanning electron microscopy.
- In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed sustained release of mafenide acetate at therapeutic concentrations for ≥ 24 hours.
- The dressing exhibited significant in vitro antimicrobial activity and effectively controlled invasive Pseudomonas infections in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The developed electrospun wound dressing offers a promising strategy for sustained mafenide acetate delivery in burn wound management.
- This technology has the potential to improve treatment efficacy and reduce mortality associated with invasive burn wound infections.
