Real-Time Detection of Burn Wound Infection via a Turn-On NIR-II Fluorescent Probe

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Background:

• Skin infections pose clinical challenges, often linked to bacterial colonization and delayed wound healing.
• Elevated local pH is a key indicator of bacterial metabolic activity in skin infections, especially burn wounds.
• Current pH-monitoring tools lack sensitivity and penetration for real-time, in situ infection assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate novel near-infrared-II (NIR-II) fluorescent probes for pH monitoring in bacterial infections.
• To develop a noninvasive tool for real-time visualization of infection-associated microenvironmental changes in skin tissues.

Main Methods:

• Design of difluoroboron (BF2) formazanate-based NIR-II probes.
• Evaluation of probe "turn-on" fluorescence in response to pH changes (7.26-9.23).
• Demonstration of probe utility in monitoring intracellular bacterial pH and visualizing burn wound infections using NIR-II imaging.

Main Results:

• Developed AlkaP-BF2, a NIR-II probe with strong emission (>1000 nm) and "turn-on" fluorescence above pH 7.26.
• Successfully monitored intracellular pH shifts in bacterial cells.
• Visualized infection-associated pH elevations in burn wounds with high sensitivity and contrast.

Conclusions:

• AlkaP-BF2 is a potent noninvasive tool for precise, real-time visualization of infection-related pH changes in skin.
• This probe facilitates enhanced monitoring of bacterial activity and wound healing status.
• The developed technology holds promise for improved diagnostics and management of skin infections.