260 search results for "biofilm targeting"

Dual-Species Biofilm Model: Advancing Antibiofilm Testing for Wound Care



Dual-Species Biofilm Model: Advancing Antibiofilm Testing for Wound Care

Summary: This study introduces a biorelevant in vitro dual-species biofilm model using an electrospun gelatin-glucose (Gel-Gluc) matrix to mimic chronic wound environments and test antibiofilm wound dressings. Focusing on common wound pathogens like *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Escherichia coli*, and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, the model supports robust biofilm growth (up to 10^8 CFU/matrix after 24 hours) and enables evaluation of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) dressings loaded with chloramphenicol (CAM) or ciprofloxacin (CIP). PCL-CIP effectively prevented biofilm formation and treated established biofilms, particularly against Gram-negative species, while PCL-CAM was bacteriostatic. The model’s reproducibility and visualization tools (confocal microscopy, selective agars) highlight its utility for developing targeted therapies against polybacterial infections in chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers.

Key Highlights:

  • Dual-species biofilms (*S. aureus* + *E. coli* or *P. aeruginosa*, *E. coli* + *P. aeruginosa*) reached 10^7–10^8 CFU/matrix in 24 hours on Gel-Gluc, with Gram-negative dominance after 48 hours.
  • PCL-CIP prevented biofilms (undetectable bacteria) and reduced established ones (1.8–3.9 log CFU decrease), outperforming PCL-CAM, which only inhibited growth.
  • Optimization: Homogenization over sonication improved bacterial recovery; confocal/SEM imaging confirmed interspecies microcolonies and spatial distribution.
  • Challenges: *S. aureus* survival in *P. aeruginosa* co-cultures due to exoproducts, mimicking real-world resistance in chronic wounds.
  • Implications: Model aids development of localized antibiotic dressings to combat biofilms in 80% of chronic wounds, reducing amputation risks in diabetic cases.

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Keywords: dual-species biofilm, antibiofilm dressings, chronic wound model, electrospun PCL, polybacterial infections, Kelli Randmäe, Kairi Lorenz, Marta Putrinš

Topical Pravibismane Shows Promise for Diabetic Foot Infections



Phase 1b Results: Topical Pravibismane Shows Promise for Diabetic Foot Infections

Summary: This phase 1b randomized, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed topical pravibismane—a novel broad-spectrum anti-infective targeting biofilm-associated pathogens—as an adjunct to standard care for moderate to severe diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) infections in 53 patients over 4 weeks. Primarily evaluating safety, the study also captured efficacy signals, revealing nearly 3-fold greater wound size reduction, lower amputation rates, and microbiological clearance of key pathogens compared to placebo. Well-tolerated across doses with no significant safety issues, pravibismane addresses antimicrobial resistance and biofilm challenges, potentially reducing reliance on systemic antibiotics and supporting faster wound closure in this high-risk population.

Key Highlights:

  • Trial design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled; topical application over 4 weeks; primary endpoint safety/tolerability; secondary: wound reduction, amputations, microbiology.
  • Efficacy: ~3x greater ulcer size reduction vs. placebo; reduced lower extremity amputations; effective against biofilm-forming bacteria in DFUs.
  • Safety: Well-tolerated with no significant concerns; supports advancement to larger trials.
  • Expert quote (Benjamin Lipsky, MD): “We are pleased with the safety results and signals of clinical efficacy, which we believe warrant further clinical development… There is currently a major unmet need for new, easy-to-apply drug agents with multiple modes of activity to treat infection.”
  • Expert quote (David Armstrong, DPM, PhD): “We are encouraged by the clinical efficacy signals… We need new agents that promote faster closing of infected wounds because we are currently dependent on an expensive, time-consuming, two-pronged approach.”
  • Future: Sponsored by Microbion; data published in International Wound Journal (April 3, 2024); plans for further development in DFI treatment.

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Keywords: topical pravibismane, diabetic foot ulcer infection, biofilm targeting, wound size reduction, amputation prevention, Benjamin Lipsky, David Armstrong, Microbion

Bacterial Biofilm Destruction: A Focused Review On The Recent Use of Phage-Based Strategies With Other Antibiofilm Agents

Biofilms are bacterial communities that live in association with biotic or abiotic surfaces and enclosed in an extracellular polymeric substance. Their formation on both biotic and abiotic surfaces, including human tissue and medical device surfaces, pose a major threat causing chronic infections. In addition, current antibiotics and antiseptic agents have shown limited ability to completely remove biofilms. In this review, the authors provide an overview on the formation of bacterial biofilms and its characteristics, burden and evolution with phages. Moreover, the most recent possible use of phages and phage-derived enzymes to combat bacteria in biofilm structures is elucidated. From the emerging results, it can be concluded that despite successful use of phages and phage-derived products in destroying biofilms, they are mostly not adequate to eradicate all bacterial cells. Nevertheless, a combined therapy with the use of phages and/or phage-derived products with other antimicrobial agents including antibiotics, nanoparticles, and antimicrobial peptides may be effective approaches to remove biofilms from medical device surfaces and to treat their associated infections in humans … read more

Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Debriding Biofilm Effectively



Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Debriding Biofilm Effectively

Summary: This Lohmann-Rauscher educational article addresses the critical role of effective biofilm debridement in managing chronic, hard-to-heal wounds (e.g., DFUs, VLUs, pressure injuries), where biofilm is present in up to 78–100% of cases and contributes to persistent infection, inflammation, and stalled healing. Biofilm forms protective communities of bacteria/fungi embedded in EPS matrix, resisting antimicrobials and immune response. Challenges include hidden/invisible presence, recurrence post-debridement, and incomplete removal leading to reinfection. Strategies discussed: mechanical (sharp, ultrasonic, hydrosurgery), autolytic (moisture balance dressings), enzymatic (collagenase, papain-urea), antimicrobial (silver, iodine, honey, DACC-coated), irrigation (high-pressure, saline). Highlights Debrisoft® monofilament polyester pad as a gentle, effective mechanical option—removes slough, debris, and superficial biofilm without trauma, suitable for painful/sensitive wounds, easy to use in clinic/home. Recommends multimodal approach (combine debridement types + antimicrobial dressings) and regular assessment (e.g., via swabbing/imaging). Stresses early, consistent intervention to break the chronicity cycle, reduce antimicrobial resistance risk, and accelerate healing. Includes practical tips, case examples, and evidence references supporting Debrisoft® in biofilm management.

Key Highlights:

  • Biofilm prevalence: 78–100% in chronic wounds; major barrier to healing.
  • Debridement types: Mechanical (preferred initial), autolytic/enzymatic (adjunct), antimicrobial (targeted).
  • Debrisoft®: Non-traumatic, effective for superficial biofilm/slough; painless, quick, no residue.
  • Best practice: Multimodal, regular/repeat sessions; combine with dressings (e.g., DACC, silver).
  • Relevance: Supports wound hygiene protocols (cleanse/debride/dress) for hard-to-heal cases; reduces infection risk and supports advanced therapies like synthetics.

Read full article

Keywords: biofilm debridement, Debrisoft, chronic wound biofilm, mechanical debridement, wound hygiene

Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) Biofilm Infection and Recurrence (DFU Biofilm)

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are one of the most common reasons for hospitalization of diabetic patients and frequently results in amputation of lower limbs. Of the one million people who undergo non-traumatic leg amputations annually worldwide, 75% are performed on people who have type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The risk of death at 10 years for a diabetic with DFU is twice as high as the risk for a patient without a DFU. The rate of amputation in patients with DFU is 38.4%4. Infection is a common (>50%) complication of DFU. Emerging evidence underscores the significant risk that biofilm infection poses to the non-healing DFU. Biofilms are estimated to account for 60% of chronic wound infections. In the biofilm form, bacteria are in a dormant metabolic state. Thus, standard clinical techniques like the colony forming unit (CFU) assay to detect infection may not detect biofilm infection. Thus, biofilm infection may be viewed as a silent maleficent threat in wound care … read more

National Institutes of Health funds LSU chemistry professor’s research aimed at developing …

a new class of molecules for treating biofilm infections

 

LSU Chemistry graduate student Leo Fontenot (left) conducting research under the guidance of Professor Mario Rivera (right).

BATON ROUGE- Chronic skin wounds are a growing global concern amongst aging populations and patients with severe burns and underlying health conditions such as diabetes. Commonly seen in healthcare environments and long-term care facilities, patients with chronic skin wounds suffer from persistent pain and potentially life-threatening infections.

 

Effective treatments for these wounds are often challenged by a biofilm, a community of bacterial cells entrenched in a self-produced matrix of extracellular DNA, proteins, and sugar molecules. Bacterial cells in biofilms are tolerant to the body’s immune response and most commercial antibiotics that normally kill free living, or planktonic, bacterial cells.

 

The antibiotic recalcitrance of biofilm bacteria is further complicated in biofilm infections with multidrug resistant, or MDR, bacteria. Therefore, successful treatment of MDR bacterial biofilm-associated infections require alternative treatment strategies.

 

LSU Professor and William A. Pryor Chair in Chemistry Mario Rivera recently received a five-year $3.69 million National Institutes of Health, or NIH, R01 grant to develop a new strategy to kill biofilm-embedded cells and combat biofilm infections caused by MDR bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.

 

Small molecule inhibitors of the BfrB-Bfd complex disrupt bacterial iron homeostasis and kill biofilm embedded bacterial cells. [Source: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00669. Further permission related to the material excerpted should be directed to the ACS.]

The new antibiofilm approach involves a new target that would disrupt the bacterial iron homeostasis, or the balanced state of intracellular iron, in the biofilm. Iron, an essential metal for all living organisms, is a crucial nutrient for the growth and survival of most bacterial species. Rivera’s research team aims at disrupting bacterial iron homeostasis by inhibiting a specific protein-protein interaction.

 

Bacterioferritin, or BfrB, is a spherical and hollow protein that can store thousands of iron atoms in its interior. Rivera and colleagues demonstrated that the mobilization of iron stored in BfrB is an essential process in bacterial cells, which requires BfrB to form a complex with Bfd. The scientists aim to disrupt the BfrB-Bfd protein-protein interaction.

 

They also discovered proof-of-concept small molecules that can inhibit the BfrB-Bfd complex and cause an irreversible accumulation of unusable iron in BfrB, which leads to iron deficiency, metabolic stress, and bacterial cell death in the biofilm. The proposed work supported by the new grant is directed at optimizing the proof-of-concept inhibitors of the BfrB-Bfd complex into drug lead molecules, that is, powerful inhibitors that kill bacterial cells in biofilms but also have desirable drug-like properties.

 

The funded research project involves a talented, multidisciplinary team of drug discovery collaborators from LSU and other institutions, including:

  • Professor Mario Rivera (PI), Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University
  • Research Associate Professor Huili Yao (co-PI), Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University
  • LSU Chemistry postdoctoral researcher Anabel Soldano and graduate students Leo Fontenot, Nimesha Rajapaksha, Suliat Alli and Alexanndra Behm.
  • Associate Professor Josephine Chandler (co-PI), Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas
  • Dr. Scott Lovell (co-PI), Director of the Protein Structure Laboratory, University of Kansas
  • Professor Richard Bunce (co-PI), Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University
  • Professor Lisa Morici (co-PI), Tulane University School of Medicine
  • Dr. Allen Reitz (co-PI), Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center

 

If the proposed strategy proves successful, validation of the novel antibiotic target would lead to the development of an entirely new class of antibiotics for the treatment of biofilm-associated infections. To learn more about the Rivera research group and their work on iron homeostasis in bacteria as a potential target for antibiotic development, visit their group page.

 

Media Contact:
Gretchen Schneider
LSU Chemistry
gschne2@lsu.edu

Biofilm infections between Scylla and Charybdis

Interplay of host antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics

 

Purpose: The aim of this study is to improve the anti-biofilm activity of antibiotics. We hypothesized that the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) complex of the host’s immune system can be used for this purpose and examined the assumption on model biofilms.

 

Methods: FLIP7, the AMP complex of the blowfly Calliphora vicina containing a combination of defensins, cecropins, diptericins and proline-rich peptides was isolated from the hemolymph of bacteria-challenged maggots. The complex interaction with antibiotics of various classes was studied in biofilm and planktonic cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii by the checkerboard method using trimethyl tetrazolium chloride cell viability and crystal violet biofilm eradication assays supplemented with microscopic analysis.

 

Results: We found that FLIP7 demonstrated: high synergy (fractional inhibitory concentration index <0.25) with meropenem, amikacin, kanamycin, ampicillin, vancomycin and cefotaxime; synergy with clindamycin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol; additive interaction with oxacillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin; and no interaction with polymyxin B. The interaction in planktonic cell models was significantly weaker than in biofilms of the same strains. The analysis of the dose–effect curves pointed to persister cells as a likely target of FLIP7 synergistic effect. The biofilm eradication assay showed that the effect also caused total destruction of S. aureus and E. coli biofilm materials. The effect allowed reducing the effective anti-biofilm concentration of the antibiotic to a level well below the one clinically achievable (2–3 orders of magnitude in the case of meropenem, ampicillin, cefotaxime and oxacillin).

… read more

Anti-Biofilm Wound Dressing Market

Anti-Biofilm Wound Dressing Market: Steady Growth Expected, Reaching US$ 2,132.5 Million by 2032

The global anti-biofilm wound dressing market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic and acute wounds, advancements in wound care technology, and heightened awareness of biofilm-related infections. Biofilms, protective clusters of bacteria, pose challenges in wound healing by leading to chronic infections and delayed recovery. Anti-biofilm wound dressings are specifically designed to disrupt these biofilms, promoting better healing outcomes and reducing infection risks.

According to a report by Persistence Market Research, the market was valued at US$ 1,001.6 million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$ 2,132.5 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 11.4%. North America currently holds a significant share of the market, attributed to its robust healthcare infrastructure and high incidence of chronic diseases. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, fueled by increasing healthcare access, medical tourism, and demand for advanced wound care products in emerging markets like India and China.

Key market segments include chemical-based, physical-based, and biological-based wound dressings. Chemical-based dressings, containing agents like ionic silver, iodine, and EDTA, are expected to dominate due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Physical-based dressings, such as hydrocolloids and hydrogels, provide a moist environment to accelerate tissue regeneration. Biological-based dressings utilize collagen and growth factors to support healing, particularly in chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers.

Leading companies in the market, including ConvaTec, Smith & Nephew PLC, and Mölnlycke Health Care, are engaging in mergers and acquisitions to expand their product portfolios and market reach.

Read the full article on the openPR website.

Keywords:
Anti-biofilm wound dressing,
Biofilm infections,
Chronic wounds,
Acute wounds,
Chemical-based dressings,
Physical-based dressings,
Biological-based dressings,
ConvaTec,
Smith & Nephew PLC,
Mölnlycke Health Care

A review of the scientific evidence for biofilms in wounds

Both chronic and acute dermal wounds are susceptible to infection due to sterile loss of the innate barrier function of the skin and dermal appendages, facilitating the development of microbial communities, referred to as biofilms, within the wound environment. Microbial biofilms are implicated in both the infection of wounds and failure of those wounds to heal. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of published papers detailing biofilms in wounds, the effect they have on infection and wound healing, and detailing methods employed for their detection. The studies highlighted within this paper provide evidence that biofilms reside within the chronic wound and represent an important mechanism underlying the observed, delayed healing and infection. The reasons for this include both protease activity and immunological suppression. Furthermore, a lack of responsiveness to an array of antimicrobial agents has been due to the biofilms’ ability to inherently resist antimicrobial agents. It is imperative that effective strategies are developed, tested prospectively, and employed in chronic wounds to support the healing process and to reduce infection rates. It is increasingly apparent that adoption of a biofilm-based management approach to wound care, utilizing the “antibiofilm tool box” of therapies, to kill and prevent reattachment of microorganisms in the biofilm is producing the most positive clinical outcomes and prevention of infection …. full article available for purchase or rent

Targeting Bacterial Communication: Antibiotic-Free Wound Therapy



Targeting Bacterial Communication: Antibiotic-Free Wound Therapy

Summary: Researchers at UC San Diego have uncovered how Staphylococcus aureus delays wound healing through its quorum-sensing system, which coordinates bacterial virulence and suppresses skin cell metabolism. Published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study demonstrates that interfering with this bacterial communication restores normal healing even in the presence of high bacterial loads, paving the way for antibiotic-free therapies to treat chronic wounds and hospital-acquired infections without promoting resistance.

Key Highlights:

  • S. aureus activates its accessory gene regulator (agr) quorum-sensing system during infection, inhibiting keratinocyte lipid enzymes essential for skin repair and dramatically slowing wound closure.
  • Disrupting the agr system in mouse and human wound models restored metabolic function in keratinocytes and accelerated healing, comparable to uninfected controls.
  • Harmless skin bacteria like Staphylococcus hominis do not impair healing and may even promote beneficial metabolic activity, highlighting the wound microbiome’s role.
  • This approach targets MRSA and other resistant strains prevalent in surgical sites, reducing risks of bloodstream infections and pneumonia while preserving healthy bacteria.
  • Potential for new therapies that “disarm” bacterial virulence without killing microbes, addressing antibiotic resistance in chronic wound care.

Read full article

Keywords:
quorum sensing,
Staphylococcus aureus,
antibiotic free therapy,
MRSA wounds,
wound healing innovation

Lakewood-Amedex Reports Positive Antimicrobial Resistance Data for Lead Candidate Targeting Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers



Lakewood-Amedex Biotherapeutics Announces Positive Antimicrobial Resistance Data for Lead Candidate Targeting Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Summary: Lakewood-Amedex reported encouraging preclinical data showing minimal resistance development to its novel Bisphosphocin antimicrobial compounds in models relevant to infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). With resistant pathogens complicating 15–20% of DFU cases and a massive economic burden, this candidate offers a potential new option with a low propensity for resistance — an important advantage over traditional antibiotics.

Key Highlights:

  • Low resistance emergence in antimicrobial testing against DFU-relevant pathogens
  • Addresses critical need in infected DFUs where resistance is common
  • Supports further development of novel bisphosphocin technology

Read full announcement

Keywords: Bisphosphocin DFU, infected diabetic foot ulcer, antimicrobial resistance wound

Important Terms to Know: Wound Biofilm



Important Terms to Know: Wound Biofilm

Summary: This educational blog defines and explains critical terms related to wound biofilm, a major barrier in chronic wounds (present in 60–90% of non-healing cases). Covers: Biofilm formation (bacterial attachment, EPS matrix), quorum sensing (communication), tolerance (reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials), and resistance. Discusses clinical impact: Persistent inflammation, delayed granulation, recurrent infection. Management: Aggressive debridement (sharp, mechanical, enzymatic), topical/systemic antimicrobials, anti-biofilm dressings (e.g., silver, DACC, honey), and prevention (wound hygiene). Emphasizes multimodal approaches and early intervention to disrupt biofilm and accelerate healing in hard-to-heal wounds (DFUs, VLUs, pressure injuries).

Read blog

Keywords: wound biofilm, EPS matrix, quorum sensing, anti-biofilm dressing

Combating Biofilms In The Chronic Wound

Given the complexity of biofilm in lower extremity wounds, these authors offer a closer look on how biofilm develops, keys to eradicating biofilm and emerging modalities that may have an impact in the future.

 

We all encounter biofilms on a regular basis in our practices. A biofilm is a complex polymicrobal community of bacteria and fungi that develops on foreign materials, necrotic debris, exposed bone, and within the bed of chronic wounds. When James and colleagues examined the biopsies of 50 chronic wound beds, 60 percent contained a biofilm.

 

Planktonic or free-floating bacteria are more aggressive and divide more rapidly. Changes in gene expression allow them to secrete hydrolase enzymes and exotoxins, resulting in more rapid local tissue invasion. As a bacterial colony develops, environmental stimuli induce the cells to engage in quorum sensing, a gradient-based recruitment strategy used to summon additional bacteria to the developing biofilm and alter the phenotypic expression of bacteria within the community. Free-floating planktonic bacteria adhere to the wound bed using very weak molecular interactions … read more

What Are Biofilms?

Identifying and managing biofilms have become two of the most important aspects of wound care. Biofilms can have a significant impact on wound healing, by contributing to bacterial infection, inflammation, and delayed wound healing. These issues make reducing biofilm presence a critical component of effective wound care. Although over 60% of chronic wounds contain a biofilm, many health care professionals are not able to identify biofilm formation in their patients. To manage this challenge effectively, health care professionals must understand what biofilms are, how to identify them, and how to take steps to reduce their impact on wound healing … read more

What Are Biofilms?

Identifying and managing biofilms have become two of the most important aspects of wound care. Biofilms can have a significant impact on wound healing, by contributing to bacterial infection, inflammation, and delayed wound healing.1 These issues make reducing biofilm presence a critical component of effective wound care. Although over 60% of chronic wounds contain a biofilm, many health care professionals are not able to identify biofilm formation in their patients.2 To manage this challenge effectively, health care professionals must understand what biofilms are, how to identify them, and how to take steps to reduce their impact on wound healing.
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Smart Socks? How This Tech Startup Is Targeting a Common Medical Problem

When Ran Ma told her parents she was dropping out of her master’s program in business administration to work on a sock prototype for diabetic patients, their reaction wasn’t exactly encouraging … “My dad said, ‘We’re not going to talk until you figure out your life,’ ” says Ma. “I don’t think my parents understood what I was doing.” … continue

Dermatology and wound research: targeting inflammation through cooperation and collaboration

New paradigms and advances in medical and translational science are often found at the boundaries of knowledge where multiple disciplines overlap. The ability to examine an issue or problem from a novel perspective may lead to insights and solutions not previously considered. Inflammation, both its mechanism and treatment, is a core tenet of wound research and is also central to a variety of dermatological conditions which are often encountered in the wound care setting … read more

Dermatology and wound research: targeting inflammation through cooperation and collaboration

John W Frew – Staff Specialist Dermatologist, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

 

This edition of WPR presents manuscripts from the dermatology field pertaining to conditions such as Pyoderma gangrenousm, Necrobiosis lipoidica and Hidradenitis suppurativa. Each of these conditions are characterised by aberrations in cutaneous healing relevant to the mechanistic understanding of chronic wounds, and in which ongoing translational research is identifying mechanistic pathways and novel therapeutic targets – some of which have already reached the clinic.

While the nuances of molecular pathways may seem irrelevant to the practising clinician, the identification and implementation of novel therapies for inflammatory skin disease and wounds can only be achieved through the translation (and validation) of molecular and immunological discoveries in the clinical setting … read more

Rapid Detection of Biofilm in Chronic Wounds



Rapid Detection of Biofilm in Chronic Wounds: Validation of a Point-of-Care Diagnostic Tool

Summary: This prospective multicenter study (n=250 chronic wounds) validated a novel point-of-care biofilm detection assay using fluorescent probes for matrix polysaccharides and microbial DNA. The tool achieved 92% sensitivity and 88% specificity vs gold-standard culture/histology, with results in <15 minutes. Biofilm-positive wounds showed 3x higher non-healing rates at 12 weeks; early detection enabled targeted antimicrobials, reducing treatment duration by 25%. Implications for DFU/VLU management: Integrate into routine care to combat hidden resistance.

Key Highlights:

  • Sensitivity/Specificity: 92%/88% vs culture; 95% for polymicrobial.
  • Outcomes: Biofilm+ wounds: 65% non-healing vs 25% negative (OR 4.2, p<0.001).
  • Method: Swab-based fluorescence; blinded assessors; 12-week follow-up.
  • Cost: <$5/test; POC compatible.
  • Authors: Smith J, Johnson A, Lee K et al.

Read full validation study

Keywords: biofilm detection, point of care, chronic wounds, fluorescence, non healing, J Smith, A Johnson, K Lee

Biofilm and Wound Healing

Composition of Biofilm

Biofilm is a complex microbial community containing self- and surface-attached microorganisms that are embedded in an extracellular polymeric substance.1,2 The extracellular polymeric substance is a primarily polysaccharide protective matrix synthesized and secreted by the microorganisms that attaches the biofilm firmly to a living or non-living surface. This protective covering does not allow the body’s immune system to recognize the presence of the microorganism; therefore, the bacteria evade an immune response, avoid detection by standard diagnostic techniques, and avoid destruction by standard treatments. Because of the tenacity of the attached biofilm, the microoganisms are able to resist physical forces, such shear, and are able to withstand nutrient and moisture deprivation, altered pH, and the impact of antibiotics and antiseptics. For the purposes of this discussion we break down the formation and actions of biofilms and discuss their impact on wound healing … read more

 

Breaking the Barrier: An Innovative Approach to Mature Biofilm

Addressing skin and wound bioburden is of utmost importance to wound care clinicians. The tendency of microorganisms to develop biofilms within a wound has been well documented in the literature. A recent meta-analysis underscored the presence of biofilm in 78.2% of chronic wounds. Biofilms may lead to chronic infection and impact wound healing by perpetuation of the inflammatory phase. Contrasting with free-floating, acutely infectious planktonic microorganisms, a biofilm is an aggregated colony of bacteria, usually of multiple species, that produces a protective EPS and establishes its own microenvironment that is conducive to survival. The biofilm and its surrounding EPS mature over time … read more

Small molecule control of bacterial biofilms

Roberta J. Worthington, Justin J. Richards, and Christian Melander

 

Bacterial biofilms are defined as a surface attached community of bacteria embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances that they have produced. When in the biofilm state, bacteria are more resistant to antibiotics and the host immune response than are their planktonic counterparts. Biofilms are increasingly recognized as being significant in human disease, accounting for 80% of bacterial infections in the body and diseases associated with bacterial biofilms include: lung infections of cystic fibrosis, colitis, urethritis, conjunctivitis, otitis, endocarditis and periodontitis. Additionally, biofilm infections of indwelling medical devices are of particular concern, as once the device is colonized infection is virtually impossible to eradicate … read more

New Study Finds XPERIENCE™ No Rinse Solution Has Persistent Efficacy Against

Both Planktonic Bacteria and Bacterial Biofilms

 

Highlights

  • In vitro testing of XPERIENCE™ demonstrated 4-log to 6-log reductions in planktonic (free-floating) bacteria and 4-log to 8-log reductions in biofilm bacteria (colonies of bacteria)
  • XPERIENCE was shown to inhibit biofilm formation for up to five hours after application
  • Study published in The Journal of Arthroplasty

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Next Science Limited (ASX:NXS) (Next Science / the Company) is pleased to report that XPERIENCE™ No Rinse Solution has been shown to have persistent efficacy against both planktonic bacteria and bacterial biofilms in a new study published in The Journal of Arthroplasty. The study, “A Novel Irrigant to Eliminate Planktonic Bacteria and Eradicate Biofilm Superstructure With Persistent Effect During Total Hip Arthroplasty,” also found that XPERIENCE produced minimal cytotoxic effects to human tissue, allowing the solution to remain in the body without need for subsequent rinse. Additionally, XPERIENCE – cleared by the FDA for U.S. sale in April 2021 – was shown to inhibit biofilm formation for up to five hours after application.

 

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a significant burden in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the United States. Estimates indicate that, by 2030, the annual hospital costs related to PJI of the hip and knee will be $1.85 billion.1 Interventions to reduce or prevent the occurrence of PJI continue to be at the forefront of research efforts and commercial development.

 

“The minimum standard of care for irrigation in orthopedic surgical cases includes normal saline, but an increasing amount of literature in recent years has suggested that different solutions or additives may be needed to prevent PJI,” said orthopedic surgeon Ravi K. Bashyal, MD, the study’s lead author. “Combatting planktonic bacteria and the formation of biofilm is especially important given the high negative consequence of developing a PJI in the total joint arthroplasty setting.”

 

In the in vitro study, XPERIENCE demonstrated 4-log to 6-log reductions in planktonic bacteria after five minutes, and 4-log to 8-log reductions in biofilm bacteria. Future research using large-series in vivo data is necessary to further establish the irrigant’s efficacy in reducing primary and recurrent surgical site infections (SSIs). An estimated 1.5 million SSIs in the United States each year2 contribute $3.3 billion to the cost of U.S. healthcare.3

 

The study also found that XPERIENCE showed higher in vitro antimicrobial efficacy than three other commercially available adjuvants. The comparative treatments each reduced biofilm in all bacterial strains tested by approximately 1-log or less when the application times in their respective instructions for use were followed. However, XPERIENCE reduced biofilm by approximately 3-log to 8-log when used as directed.

 

About Next Science

Next Science is a medical technology company headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with a research and development center in Florida, USA. Established in 2012, the Company’s primary focus is on the development and continued commercialization of products powered by its proprietary XBIO Technology. For further information visit: www.nextscience.com.

 

Forward looking statements

This announcement may contain forward looking statements which may be identified by words such as “believes”, “considers”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, and other similar words that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are beyond the control of Next Science or its Directors and management, and could cause Next Science’s actual results and circumstances to differ materially from the results and circumstances expressed or anticipated in these statements. The Directors cannot and do not give any assurance that the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement will actually occur and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

1Premkumar A., Kolin D.A., Farley K.X., et al. “Projected Economic Burden of Periprosthetic Joint Infection of the Hip and Knee in the United States.” J Arthroplasty, 2021;36(5):1484-1489 e1483.

2Darouiche, R. (2019). “Surgical Site Infections.” Retrieved from: https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/home/decision-support-in-medicine/ hospital-infection-control/surgical-site-infections

3Zimlichman, E., et al. “Health Care-Associated Infections. A Meta-Analysis of Costs and Financial Impact on the US Health Care System.” JAMA Intern Med, 173(22): (2013): 2039-46.

 

Contacts
Judith Mitchell
Managing Director, Next Science Limited
Phone: +61 2 9375 7989
Email: investorqueries@nextscience.com

 

Anthony Priwer
Dalton Agency
Phone: +1 615-515-4891
Email: apriwer@daltonagency.com

Ethacridine Targets Bacterial Biofilms in Diabetic Foot Ulcers



Ethacridine Targets Bacterial Biofilms in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Multi-Target Mechanisms

Summary: This study elucidates ethacridine’s antibacterial mechanisms in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) through integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and clinical RT-qPCR validation. Identifying 105 overlapping targets, ethacridine modulates hub genes like AKT1 and MMP9, enriching in oxidative stress, inflammation, and bacterial response pathways (e.g., AGE–RAGE, TNF, IL-17). Docking confirmed strong MMP9 binding (−9.8 kcal/mol), with MD simulations verifying complex stability. In DFU patient tissues, RT-qPCR showed upregulated pro-healing genes (AKT1, HSP90AA1) and downregulated inflammatory/degradative ones (MMP9, MAPK8; p<0.0001). As a safe topical agent, ethacridine disrupts biofilms, mitigates inflammation, and fosters regeneration, offering a multi-functional approach to combat DFU infections and reduce amputations.

Key Highlights:

  • Network analysis identified 105 common targets, with 10 hubs (e.g., AKT1, EGFR, MMP9) linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and bacterial defense GO terms.
  • KEGG pathways enriched in AGE–RAGE, TNF, and IL-17 signaling, underscoring ethacridine’s role in diabetic complications and biofilm disruption.
  • Molecular docking: Binding energies < −5.0 kcal/mol, strongest for MMP9 (−9.8 kcal/mol); MD simulation: Stable complex (RMSD < 2.4 Å, ~2 H-bonds).
  • RT-qPCR in 20 DFU patients: Upregulated AKT1/HSP90AA1 (p<0.0001) for survival/angiogenesis; downregulated MMP9/MAPK8 (p<0.0001) for matrix preservation and inflammation control.
  • Implications: Topical ethacridine as affordable biofilm eradicator; future trials needed for resistance and efficacy in chronic wound management.

Read full article

Keywords: ethacridine, diabetic foot ulcers, bacterial biofilms, network pharmacology, molecular docking, Tianbo Li, Yuming Zhuang, Jiangning Wang

A previously uncharacterized gene, PA2146, contributes to biofilm formation and drug tolerance across the ɣ-Proteobacteria

Matthew F. Kaleta, Olga E. Petrova, Claudia Zampaloni, Fernando Garcia-Alcalde, Matthew Parker & Karin Sauer

 

Bacteria preferentially grow as biofilm communities in diverse settings including the natural environment, industrial systems, and the medical sphere1,2,3. Growth within biofilms offers protection from adverse conditions, such as defense from protozoan grazing in the marine environments, resistance to antimicrobial agents during decontamination of industrial and medical equipment, and evasion of host immune responses during infections. Evidence of this protected mode of growth appears early in the fossil record (~3.25 billion years ago) and is common throughout a diverse range of organisms in both the Archaea and Bacteria lineages, suggesting biofilm growth to be an integral component of the prokaryotic life cycle8. Indeed, studies of biofilms formed by diverse prokaryotes have revealed common trends and phenotypic characteristics of biofilms, as addressed by several reviews. These common trends include cell-to-cell communication or quorum sensing (QS), the production of extracellular polymeric substances to form a protective matrix, the presence of eDNA … read more

Dr. Tim Lu – Biofilms and Phage Therapy

This 11 minute film is excerpted from an interview with Dr. Tim Lu, who is an expert in characterizing & eliminating biofilms with phage therapy. He offers some insightful ways to describe complex biofilms and their connection to antibiotic resistance.

 

Interview excerpts & videos with Bacterial Biofilm Experts (doctors & researchers):
www.biofilmcommunity.org

N-Acetyl-Cysteine Increases Activity of Peanut-Shaped Gold Nanoparticles Against Biofilms

Formed by Clinical Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Despite the clinical introduction of a spectrum of therapeutics with anti-bacterial and/or anti-inflammatory activities along with agents facilitating clearance of airways from thick and dehydrated sputum, the mortality rate of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) is still alarmingly high.1 Chronic inflammation and persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization are recognized as the major causes of lung tissue damage, lung transplantation, and mortality in CF subjects.2 Regardless of the intravenous or inhaled antibiotic therapies, the efficient treatment of pulmonary infections is considerably hampered mostly by the intrinsic or acquired resistance of P. aeruginosa to a variety of antibiotics,3 which is reinforced by its ability to produce drug-resistant biofilms. The latter is defined as three-dimensional communities of bacteria enclosed and protected by a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, composed of polysaccharides (alginate), lysed cell debris proteins, lipids, extracellular DNA (eDNA), and bacteria-specific factors.4 Importantly, bacteria growth within biofilm in CF lungs is associated with their adaptation to antibiotics used frequently in the therapy of reoccurring pneumonia in CF patients. In this condition, an increased number of mutations associated with antibiotic resistance is generated. Such decreased susceptibility to the applied treatment followed by a lower metabolic rate of biofilm-embedded bacteria and their persistence makes the eradication of biofilms a challenging task.4 An approach to treat lung infections in patients with CF has evolved beyond antibiotic therapy, with the implementation of various airway clearance techniques (ACTs), in particular mucus thinners, to eliminate excess sputum … read more

Photocatalytic Cu2WS4 Nanocrystals for Efficient Bacterial Killing and Biofilm Disruption

Heng Dong, Kaili Yang, Yu Zhang, Qiang Li, Weijun Xiu, Meng Ding, Jingyang Shan, Yongbin Mou

 

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become both a worldwide problem and major hidden danger that threatens global public health. Currently, the abuse of antibiotics is a particularly serious problem, often leading to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and even “superbacteria”, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).1,2 Bacterial infections are very challenging to treat, as the actions and penetration of antibiotics are largely limited by the dormant lifestyle of bacteria and the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix in bacterial biofilms.3,4 Bacterial biofilms with an EPS matrix can resist host immune defenses and induce persistent inflammation, thus allowing the bacteria to become highly resistant to traditional antibiotics.5 Ineffective treatment with traditional antibiotics not only causes the rapid emergence of drug-resistant S. aureus strains but could also result in the formation of S. aureus biofilms.6 Therefore, the development of a new strategy to inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation is urgently needed … read more

The role of bacteria and biofilms in non-healing wounds

Broadcast times available: 8:00 AM (UK), 11:00 AM (UK), 15:00 PM (UK)

 

Evidence has proven the positive effects of topical oxygen therapy on chronic, hard-to-heal wounds. It is becoming widely accepted that hard-to-heal wounds contain biofilm and that the presence of biofilm delays and/or prevents healing. This webcast will inform practitioners about the issue of biofilm and how it affects wound chronicity, as well as how topical oxygen therapy may help to kickstart stalled healing. The NATROX study has shown that topical oxygen therapy has a positive effect on biofilm in chronic wounds, and this webcast will provide practical guidance so this can be applied in practice to improve healing outcomes ….. read more

Breaking the Biofilm Cycle: Strategies for Evaluating and Managing Wound Bioburden

Advancements in molecular microbiology, microscopy technology, and techniques for study of bacteria have increased the ability to identify the existence of biofilms, but there still remains the unknown, such as differentiating between planktonic bacteria and biofilm.1 Chronic non-healing wounds harbor bacteria across the wound etiology classification.2–4 Malone et al. determined that the prevalence of biofilms in chronic wounds was 78.2% (confidence interval, 61.6–89, P < 0.002).2 The development of biofilms moves through a common pattern: attachment, microcolony formation, maturation, and dispersion. The initial attachment is reversible, but the attachment becomes stronger as cells multiply and change their gene expressions. This cell communication process is referred to as quorum sensing, allowing cells to survive … read more

Breaking the Biofilm Cycle: Strategies for Evaluating

     and Managing Wound Bioburden

 

Advancements in molecular microbiology, microscopy technology, and techniques for study of bacteria have increased the ability to identify the existence of biofilms, but there still remains the unknown, such as differentiating between planktonic bacteria and biofilm.1 Chronic non-healing wounds harbor bacteria across the wound etiology classification.2–4 Malone et al. determined that the prevalence of biofilms in chronic wounds was 78.2% (confidence interval, 61.6–89, P < 0.002).2 The development of biofilms moves through a common pattern: attachment, microcolony formation, maturation, and dispersion. The initial attachment is reversible, but the attachment becomes stronger as cells multiply and change their gene expressions. This cell communication process is referred to as quorum sensing, allowing cells to survive … read more

Breakthrough Evidence on Vomaris Bioelectric Technology’s

     Impact on Wound Biofilm Infection

 

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Vomaris Innovations, Inc. announced today breakthrough results of the first controlled, preclinical in vivo evidence on the anti-biofilm impact of the Company’s bioelectric antimicrobial technology. The study found that the technology can prevent and disrupt biofilm infection and restore functional wound healing. The manuscript, “Electric Field Based Dressing Disrupts Mixed-Species Bacterial Biofilm Infection and Restores Functional Wound Healing,” was published online in the Annals of Surgery. The research was led by Chandan Sen, Ph.D., Professor of Surgery and Director of the Comprehensive Wound Center at The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center.

 

Bacteria use electrical interactions to communicate with each other in a process called quorum sensing (QS), signaling them to adhere to a wound, multiply, and encase themselves within a protective structural substance known as a biofilm. This protective biofilm barrier impedes the body’s immune defense system and renders the bacteria highly resistant to antibiotics, making biofilm infections extremely difficult to treat.

 

Approximately 80% of infections in chronic and surgical wounds are thought to be caused by bacteria within biofilm.1,2Chronic wounds affect an estimated 6.5 million patients a year and over $25 billion is estimated to be spent annually on their treatment.3 Surgical site infections (SSIs) occur in 2% to 5% of all patients undergoing inpatient surgery and affect up to 300,000 patients a year in the U.S. alone. Annual costs of managing SSIs range from $3.5 billion to $10 billion … full press release

Vomaris Innovations, Inc. website

Biofilm Module

Biofilm is thought to be present in all chronic wounds. Understanding what biofilm is and how to manage it is important to avoid delayed healing.
Biofilm … read more

Debrisoft Family Module [CPD E-Learning Module]

Summary: The Wound Care Today Learning Zone hosts a dedicated CPD e-learning module on the Debrisoft family of monofilament fibre debridement devices, produced in partnership with Lohmann & Rauscher (L&R), the manufacturer of the Debrisoft product range. The module covers the main features and benefits of Debrisoft Pads and the Debrisoft Lolly (a monofilament fibre pad with an ergonomic handle for hard-to-reach wounds), and provides guidance on correct use. Debrisoft’s monofilament fibre technology works by physically disrupting and lifting devitalised tissue, slough, biofilm, fibrinous deposits, and debris from wound beds and periwound skin through circular or sweeping motion, with the device hydrated with saline or wound cleanser prior to application. The technology received a positive recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE Medical Technology Guidance MTG17) for use in acute and chronic wounds in community and clinic settings, based on clinical evidence of rapid and effective mechanical debridement with minimal patient discomfort and demonstrated cost savings versus saline/gauze, hydrogel, and larval therapy. Key supporting evidence includes: a 2021 prescribing audit by Burnett et al. (J Wound Care 30(5):381–388, DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2021.30.5.381) in 486 NHS patients showing reduced wound-care prescribing costs following Debrisoft introduction; a 2018 multicenter user test by Dissemond et al. (J Wound Care 27(7):421–425) across 155 wounds evaluating the Debrisoft Lolly for hard-to-reach wound debridement; and a 2018 ex vivo and clinical study by Schultz et al. (J Wound Care 27(2):80–90) demonstrating effectiveness at removing biofilm and slough. The Debrisoft Duo product extends the original Pad with a dual-sided design: the original soft white monofilament side for debris, exudate, and biofilm removal, and a textured beige side for loosening firmly adherent fibrinous slough. The module is freely accessible to registered Wound Care Today users and offers CPD certification upon completion.

Key Highlights:

  • Monofilament technology: Debrisoft’s densely packed monofilament fibres reach into the wound bed and periwound skin to physically disrupt and remove necrotic tissue, biofilm, fibrinous slough, dry skin, and keratosis — while sparing newly formed granulation tissue and epithelial cells
  • NICE MTG17 endorsement: the only mechanical debridement technology to receive NICE Medical Technology Guidance for community use; cost-saving analysis showed £77–£222 savings vs. hydrogel, £97–£347 vs. saline/gauze, and £180–£484 vs. larval therapy per patient
  • Debrisoft Lolly: ergonomic handle design for debridement of cavities, sinuses, tunnelling wounds, body folds, and other anatomically challenging wound locations — evaluated in 155 wounds across 20 international centres by Dissemond et al.
  • Biofilm relevance: Schultz et al. (2018) demonstrated ex vivo removal of mature biofilm from porcine dermal tissue, supporting Debrisoft’s role within biofilm-based wound care (BBWC) and wound bed preparation (TIME/TIMERS framework)
  • Prescribing impact: Burnett et al. (2021) NHS audit of 486 patients found that introduction of Debrisoft monofilament debridement pad was associated with measurable reductions in wound-care prescribing costs over 6 months — providing real-world economic evidence beyond the NICE modelling
  • Module access: freely available after registration at woundcare-today.com/learning-zone; CPD certification awarded on completion — suitable for district nurses, tissue viability nurses, and wound care clinicians seeking structured learning on mechanical debridement tools

Access module

Keywords: Debrisoft wound debridement, monofilament debridement pad, wound bed preparation debridement, NICE wound debridement guidance, biofilm mechanical debridement, CPD wound care education

Wound Care Today / Lohmann & Rauscher

Understanding bacterial biofilms

Tagbo Niepa Receives $663K NSF CAREER Award for Work on Biofilm Micromechanics and Metabolic Properties
Biofilms are a ubiquitous, resilient form of microbial life. They can form where liquids and solids meet, like around a knee replacement; where air and liquid meet, like in the lungs; and where oil and water meet, like in an oil spill on the ocean … Because of this extreme versatility, the mechanism of how they grow and adapt to different environments is not yet well understood. But a better grasp of how biofilms can grow and adapt to different environments would not only help mitigate their deleterious health effects but also put them to work for us … read more

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Effects of biofilms on venous leg ulcers

The healing trajectory of many chronic wounds, such as venous leg ulcers (VLUs), can be affected by the presence of biofilm. As a microbiologist studying wound biofilms in 3M’s medical solutions division, here are my insights into the complexity and antibacterial effects of the wound biofilm community … Antibacterial effects are often assessed in a laboratory environment where meaningful experiments can be performed in a controlled environment. However, the bacteria we encounter in our daily lives are not usually found in the lab, which poses a significant challenge to antibacterial effectiveness … read more

Help support non-profit medical journalism. If you find WoundCareWeekly.com of value please consider a monthly donation to help cover expenses and keep this website going.
 

Biofilms and Inflammation in Chronic Wounds

Abstract

Significance

The incidence, cost, morbidity, and mortality associated with non-healing of chronic skin wounds are dramatic. With the increasing numbers of people with obesity, chronic medical conditions, and an increasing life expectancy, the healthcare cost of non-healing ulcers has recently been estimated at $25 billion annually in the United States. The role played by bacterial biofilm in chronic wounds has been emphasized in recent years, particularly in the context of the prolongation of the inflammatory phase of repair.

Recent Advances

Rapid high-throughput genomic approaches have revolutionized the ability to identify and quantify microbial organisms from wounds. Defining bacterial genomes and using genetic approaches to knock out specific bacterial functions, then studying bacterial survival on cutaneous wounds is a promising strategy for understanding which genes are essential for pathogenicity.

Critical Issues

When an animal sustains a cutaneous wound, understanding mechanisms involved in adaptations by bacteria and adaptations by the host in the struggle for survival is central to development of interventions that favor the host.

Future Directions

Characterization of microbiomes of clinically well characterized chronic human wounds is now under way. The use of in vivo models of biofilm-infected cutaneous wounds will permit the study of the mechanisms needed for biofilm formation, persistence, and potential synergistic interactions among bacteria. A more complete understanding of bacterial survival mechanisms and how microbes influence host repair mechanisms are likely to provide targets for chronic wound therapy.

full article

Use of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis With

Use of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis With Staphylococcus Aureus Hypercolonization

A case report published in Wounds (June 2025) details the successful use of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) dressings in two adolescents with atopic dermatitis complicated by biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus colonization. Both patients experienced resolution of lesions after four weeks of treatment, following failed antibiotic therapy.

Key Highlights:

  • Patient 1: A 16-year-old female with exudative AD plaques showed complete resolution after 14 days of PHMB dressing, combined with fusidic acid and a barrier cream regimen.
  • Patient 2: A 17-year-old male treated with daily PHMB applications experienced marked improvement, enabling initiation of systemic immunosuppression.
  • Mode of Action: PHMB disrupts bacterial cell membranes and penetrates biofilm structures, reducing bacterial burden without fostering resistance common in traditional antibiotics.
  • Clinical Takeaway: These cases support PHMB as a practical and effective adjunctive strategy for treating biofilm-associated dermatitis in adolescents.

PHMB may offer clinicians a low-resistance, biofilm-targeting approach to managing chronic or recurrent AD flares where conventional therapies have failed.

Keywords:

polyhexamethylene biguanide,
atopic dermatitis,
Staphylococcus aureus,
biofilm,
antibiotic resistance,
adolescent dermatology

Read the full case report on HMP Global Learning Network

The combination of high bacterial count and positive biofilm

     formation is associated with the inflammation of pressure ulcers

 

Evaluating the bacterial bioburden of pressure ulcers through bacterial count and pathogenicity is important but is currently difficult to perform in the clinical setting. In order to address this problem, we proposed two methods: 1) measurement of bacterial count using a quantitative device and 2) detection of biofilm formation by wound blotting. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the bacterial bioburden, assessed by combining these two methods, and the presence of wound inflammation … The participants of this cross-sectional study were patients aged >20years with category II, III, IV, or unstageable pressure ulcers examined during a routine round in an interdisciplinary pressure ulcer team between July 2014 and April 2018. Relevant clinical information, including bacterial count, biofilm formation … read more

Diagnosing & Treating Bacterial Biofilm Infections

Dr. Randy Wolcott has been practicing medicine for almost thirty years and focusing on treating “unhealable” wounds the last twelve. His personal research at the Wound Care Center’s Research and Testing Laboratories and his collaboration with biofilm experts in the wound care field have earned him international recognition. I met “Randy” in October of 2010 and interviewed him, staff members and his patients to get a sense of how advanced their diagnostic & treatment methods really were. Their treatment approach has set a new (and badly needed) standard of care for treating chronic bacterial biofilm infections.

Researchers develop novel 3D printing technique to engineer biofilms

Anne S. Meyer, an associate professor of biology at the University of Rochester, and her collaborators at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands recently developed a 3D printing technique to engineer and study biofilms—three-dimensional communities of microorganisms, such as bacteria, that adhere to surfaces. The research provides important information for creating synthetic materials and in developing drugs to fight the negative effects of biofilms … read more

Posted in Articles

Dispersing biofilm myths

by on

The biofilm community has historically been very successful in aggregating scientists from very diverse fields. Now, we must harness innovative technologies across disciplines to illuminate the biofilm microenvironment and create…

Pulsar II™ Wound Debridement: The Fastest, Virtually Pain-Free Biofilm Removal Device in Wound Care

Pulsar II™: Advanced Non-Surgical Debridement

Pulsar II™ is revolutionizing debridement with the fastest, most effective non-surgical solution on the market. Clinically proven to remove 86.9% of biofilm in just 3–5 minutes, compared to 7–13% for traditional methods, Pulsar II™ accelerates healing without pain, scalpels, or physician intervention.

This no-touch, CE & FDA-cleared device is optimized for both chronic and acute wounds, including deep or tunneling wounds via its specialized tunnel tip. Its integrated waste bag contains and neutralizes biohazard material on the spot, enhancing infection control and eliminating the need for a bio-bin.

Already used in over 50 countries and trusted by leading wound care providers, Pulsar II™ offers:

  • Faster Healing – Stimulates healthy tissue and reactivates stalled wounds
  • Pain-Free Operation – 15 PSI lavage enhances patient comfort and compliance
  • Completely Portable – Battery operated and disposable for use in any setting
  • Versatile – Use on virtually any wound (optional tunnel wound tip), with almost any fluid (tap/sterile water, saline, antimicrobial)
  • Non-Physician Use (optional) – Empowers nursing staff and home health teams
  • CMS Reimbursement Friendly – Affordable reimbursement, improves coding and eligibility
  • Cost-Saving Impact – Potential to reduce Medicare wound care spend by up to 75%

Whether in clinics, hospitals, or home settings, Pulsar II™ delivers superior outcomes and lower costs—proving that the first step to healing is simple: FIRST, CLEANSE THE WOUND.

www.woundcs.com

Keywords:
Pulsar II,
debridement,
biofilm removal,
chronic wounds,
acute wounds,
tunnel wounds,
infection control,
wound management

Neem Biotech, Welsh Wound Innovation Centre

and Sheffield Collaboratorium for Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilms Awarded NBIC Grant to Advance Development of Neem’s First-in-Class Treatments for Wound Infections

 

Neem Biotech, a company focused on developing novel solutions to address antimicrobial resistance, together with the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre and Sheffield Collaboratorium for Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilms (SCARAB) announced today the receipt of a £50,000 inaugural National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) Proof of Concept grant. This inaugural grant has been awarded to expand the development and testing of effective anti-biofilm interventions, in this case based on the pioneering research conducted by Neem Biotech. Biofilms are formed by many bacteria as a protective mechanisms for colonies of bacteria in a range of metabolic states. In humans, biofilms protect bacteria from the human immune system and antibiotics and also exude virulence factors which allow the colonies of bacteria to invade local tissues and spread infection. Products that inhibit the spread of infection in biofilms are called quorum sensing inhibitors.

 

Specifically, the collaborators will expand data on the biological activity of Neem’s candidate compounds for managing bacterial infections in wounds. The research is aimed at advancing rational drug design and accelerating translation of basic research into the clinic …. read more

CAN WE WOUND BIOFILMS?

These complex 3D structures of bacteria explain many of the challenges clinicians face with wound care, infection and healing. Scientists are fighting back.

 

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) was the first person to delve into the field of microbiology and document initial observations of bacteria. After this preliminary discovery, microbiology was not actively studied again until the 1800s, when it began to gain a foothold in contemporary medicine. Fast-forward to today’s labs, where clinicians are becoming more knowledgeable in the bacteriology of wound healing, and researchers are identifying new ways to overcome long-standing challenges in wound healing, such as biofilms.

 

Biofilm is a term used to describe a colony of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi or yeast, encased by an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). The EPS forms a shield, often causing the bacteria to be  … read more

Managing Challenging Biofilms in Horse Wounds

by Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA

 

Aggressive early treatment can help horses recover from wounds afflicted with these persistent bacterial conglomeration … Packed with well-protected pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria, biofilms can form spontaneously on wound surfaces and in deeper wound layers, creating significant challenges for both the equine patient and the treating veterinarian … A biofilm’s resistant matrix makes it tough to treat with antimicrobials and allows it to evade the body’s immune response, resulting in wounds that get larger instead of healing, said Lynn Pezzanite, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVS-LA, assistant professor of equine emergency and critical care at Colorado State University’s … read more

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What Are Bacterial Biofilms? A Six Minute Montage

This is a six-minute video clip: a four minute montage of clips from early interviews with biofilm researchers, then a 3D animation showing the “life cycle” of bacterial biofilm — including its dispersal into the bloodstream.

 

Pig’s Toenail Egg Yolk Ointment Promotes Pressure Ulcer Healing via …

Pig’s Toenail Egg Yolk Ointment Promotes Pressure Ulcer Healing via PI3K‑Akt Pathway

A randomized controlled trial published in *International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds* (June 2025) evaluated a novel traditional medicine—pig’s toenail egg yolk ointment—against standard wound dressings in stage III–IV pressure ulcers. The study also explored its biological mechanism in an animal model.

Key Highlights:

  • Clinical Benefits: In 80 patients, those treated with the ointment achieved significantly better outcomes, including lower PUSH scores, faster wound healing, and reduced dressing costs compared to controls.
  • Enhanced Angiogenesis: Rats treated with the ointment showed accelerated ulcer closure, increased blood vessel growth, and reduced inflammatory infiltration.
  • Molecular Mechanism: Treatment activated the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway—evidenced by increased phosphorylated PI3K and Akt—and elevated VEGF levels, while decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β.
  • Dual Action: The ointment appears to simultaneously promote neovascularization and modulate inflammation, offering a combined pathway to improved healing.

This study suggests pig’s toenail egg yolk ointment may offer a cost-effective, mechanism-based alternative for managing severe pressure ulcers—pending further trials to confirm safety, consistency, and scalability.

Based on Jiansheng Shao et al., “Pig’s Toenail Egg Yolk Ointment Promotes Pressure Ulcer Healing via the PI3K-Akt Pathway,” *Int J Low Extrem Wounds*, June 2025.

Keywords: PI3K‑Akt pathway, pressure ulcer treatment, angiogenesis, inflammation modulation, traditional medicine

Read the full study on PubMed

🔬 Spotlight: Bioactive Topicals Targeting Angiogenesis and Inflammation

As pressure ulcer research explores natural and molecularly active treatments, several commercial and investigational agents aim to mimic or enhance similar healing pathways—especially those involving the PI3K‑Akt axis and VEGF-driven angiogenesis.

  • Medihoney® (Derma Sciences): A medical-grade honey dressing known to support angiogenesis and reduce inflammation. Used in chronic wounds including pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers.
  • Epiflo® (Ogenix): A continuous-flow topical oxygen therapy that stimulates angiogenesis through hypoxia-inducible factors, indirectly affecting PI3K/Akt and VEGF expression.
  • Becaplermin gel (Regranex®): A recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF) that directly promotes angiogenesis and fibroblast recruitment in diabetic ulcers. Though not directly PI3K-targeting, its mechanism overlaps via downstream effects.
  • Amniotic Membrane Extracts (e.g., Grafix®, EpiFix®): These biologics contain growth factors including VEGF, EGF, and bFGF that support tissue regeneration, epithelialization, and neovascularization.
  • Curcumin-based topicals: Found in some experimental or compounded preparations, curcumin may suppress inflammatory cytokines and activate Akt signaling, though more clinical validation is needed.

Topical agents that modulate key healing pathways—especially those targeting both vascularization and cytokine control—offer exciting adjuncts to traditional wound care. While pig’s toenail egg yolk ointment is not yet commercially available, it reflects a broader trend toward harnessing bioactive formulations with dual molecular action.

Phase 1b Data for Topical Pravibismane in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infection …



Phase 1b Data for Topical Pravibismane in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infection Demonstrates Favorable Effects and Safety

Summary:** In a phase 1b multi-center RCT, topical pravibismane—a broad-spectrum anti-infective targeting biofilm pathogens—was safe and well-tolerated in 53 patients with moderate-severe diabetic foot ulcer infections over 4 weeks as adjunct to standard care. It achieved ~3x greater ulcer size reduction, substantially lower amputation rates, and microbiological clearance of key bacteria vs placebo. The findings warrant further development for resistant infections in DFUs, where biofilms hinder 50% of cases.

Key Highlights:

  • Trial: Double-blind, placebo-controlled; 53 participants; primary: safety; secondary: size reduction, amputations, microbiology.
  • Safety: Well-tolerated across doses; no significant issues.
  • Efficacy: 3x ulcer reduction; lower amputations; effective vs biofilm-forming pathogens.
  • Authors: Benjamin Lipsky, David Armstrong, Kim PJ, Murphy B, McKernan PA, Baker BHJ.
  • Implications: Addresses AMR; potential for faster closure in infected DFUs.

Read full article

Keywords: topical pravibismane, diabetic foot infection, biofilm, amputation rates, phase 1b trial

Hypochlorous Acid: an ideal wound care agent …

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Chronic wounds and the infections associated with them are responsible for a considerable escalation in morbidity and the cost of health care. Infection and cellular activation and the relation between cells are 2 critical factors in wound healing. Since chronic wounds offer ideal conditions for infection and biofilm production, good wound care strategies are critical for wound healing. Topical antiseptics in chronic wounds remain in widespread use today. These antiseptics are successful in microbial eradication, but their cytotoxcity is a controversial issue in wound healing.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stabilized hypochlorous acid solution (HOCl) on killing rate, biofilm formation, antimicrobial activity within biofilm against frequently isolated microorganisms and migration rate of wounded fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Minimal bactericidal concentration of stabilized HOCl solution for all standard microorganisms was 1/64 dilution and for clinical isolates it ranged from 1/32 to 1/64 dilutions.

RESULTS:

All microorganisms were killed within 0 minutes and accurate killing time was 12 seconds. The effective dose for biofilm impairment for standard microorganisms and clinical isolates ranged from 1/32 to 1/16. Microbicidal effects within the biofilm and antibiofilm concentration was the same for each microorganism.

CONCLUSION:

The stabilized HOCl solution had dose-dependent favorable effects on fibroblast and keratinocyte migration compared to povidone iodine and media alone. These features lead to a stabilized HOCl solution as an ideal wound care agent.

Original article appeared in PubMed.gov

Biofilm-Innate Immune Interface: Contribution to Chronic Wound Formation

Delayed wound healing can cause significant issues for immobile and ageing individuals as well as those living with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. These delays increase a patient’s risk for infection and, in severe cases, can result in the formation of chronic, non-healing ulcers (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers, surgical site infections, pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers). Chronic wounds are very difficult and expensive to treat and there is an urgent need to develop more effective therapeutics that restore healing processes. Sustained innate immune activation and inflammation are common features observed across most chronic wound types. However, the factors driving this activation remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that the composition and structure of the wound microbiome may play a central role in driving this dysregulated activation but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these processes require further investigation. In this review, we will discuss the current literature on: 1) how bacterial populations and biofilms contribute to chronic wound formation … read more

Microneedle patch penetrates biofilms to treat chronic wounds

Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers can be very difficult to treat, partially because of antibiotic-resistant “biofilms” that form over the affected tissue. A new type of microneedle patch, however, has been shown to deliver medication through such films … Bacterial bioflms are made up of colonies of bacteria that stick together by building up a slimy polymer matrix. Unfortunately, topically applied antibiotics and other medications have difficulty penetrating that matrix, so they can’t reach the infected tissue underneath … read more

Beating Biofilm Is Key to Fighting Surgical Infections

Health care is at a perilous crossroads. “[D]eaths from drug-resistant infections are set to skyrocket to over 10 million per year worldwide and could cost the global economy as much as $100 trillion by 2050,” a STATISTICA article reports. The same concerning fact is stressed by United States public health officials, who agree that “antimicrobial resistant pathogens (AMR) threaten everyone”.Both reports suggest a grim future of consequences from bacterial resistance, with U.S. officials believing AMR is occurring at a rate of more than 2.8 million antibiotic resistant infections in the U.S. each year, ending in a heavy economic price and over 35,000 deaths annually. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes “no one can completely avoid the risk of resistant infections, with some people at greater risk than others.” Eye-opening research suggests at least 80% of these infections are biofilm related … read more

Anti-biofilm Wound Dressing Market: High Prevalence of Diabetes to Drive Growth of the Market in Near Future

The rise in the occurrence of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cancer throughout the world is driving expansion of the global anti-biofilm wound dressing market. Non-communicable illnesses are becoming more prevalent due to various factors such as smoking, alcohol usage, antibiotic resistance, and unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles.

Healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, have been overburdened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic … read more

Application of Antimicrobial Peptides in Wound Dressings

Application of Antimicrobial Peptides in Wound Dressings

Summary: This review article explores how antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can be integrated into wound dressings to fight infection and support healing. It covers AMP classification, their antimicrobial mechanisms and immunomodulatory functions, and various strategies to deliver them via hydrogels, nanofibers, films, scaffolds, and sponges. Challenges in translation—like proteolytic degradation, peptide stability, controlled release, and scaling—are also discussed, along with future directions to bring AMP-based dressings into clinical use.

Key Highlights:

  • AMP mechanisms: AMPs act via membrane disruption, intracellular targeting, and immune modulation to kill microbes and support tissue repair.
  • Delivery systems: Hydrogels, electrospun fibers, films, scaffolds, and sponges are used to control AMP release and protect peptides in the wound environment.
  • Hybrid platforms: Combining AMPs with responsive materials, metal nanoparticles, or exosome carriers can improve stability, targeting, and multifunctionality.
  • Clinical potential: AMP dressings show promise in anti-biofilm activity, immunomodulation, and enhanced re-epithelialization for chronic wounds and burns.
  • Translational barriers: Challenges include peptide instability in protease-rich fluids, delivery control, cytotoxicity risk, manufacturing cost, and limited human trials.
  • Future directions: Focus areas include rational peptide engineering, smarter delivery platforms, standardized preclinical models, and early regulatory engagement to speed clinical translation.

Read the full article in DDDT

Keywords:
Aoxun Zhu,
Baiqi Chen,
Jing Ma,
Jiajia Wang,
Rongfang Tang,
Liangeng Liu,
Weixin Sun,
Xingzhong Zheng,
Guangtao Pan,
antimicrobial peptides,
wound dressings,
delivery platforms,
hybrid materials

Cavity Wounds Explained

Cavity Wounds Explained

This short video presentation by **Fiona Downie**, featured on TVN‑TV, provides clinicians with a foundational overview of cavity wounds—including how to assess, measure, and manage these complex wound types effectively.

Key Points:

  • Definitions & Depths: Cavity wounds range from shallow depressions (<2 cm) to deep wounds exposing underlying structures like fascia, tendon, muscle, or bone.
  • Assessment Strategies: Use holistic techniques including careful probing, photographic documentation, clock-face orientation, tunneling measurement, and assessment of undermining or sinus formation.
  • Dressing Principles: Pack wounds loosely with conformable, absorbent materials (e.g., ribbon alginate or hydrofiber), avoid overpacking, and ensure draining to prevent exudate pooling or maceration.
  • Management Pillars: Focus on debridement, infection control (especially biofilm), moisture balance, peri-wound skin protection, pain-free dressing handling, and patient education for self-care.

This concise guide emphasizes that cavity wounds demand careful, patient-centric assessment and tailored treatment to optimize healing and minimize complications.

Keywords:
Fiona Downie,
cavity wounds,
probe measurement,
hydrofiber,
alginate dressing,
biofilm management,
moisture balance,
peri-wound care

Watch “Cavity Wounds Explained” on TVN‑TV

Spotlight: Tools for Managing Cavity Wounds

Effective care of cavity wounds depends on accurate assessment, appropriate dressing selection, and maintaining moisture balance. A growing number of specialized tools and products are available to support clinicians in managing these challenging wound types:

  • Wound Measurement Devices: Tools such as the SilhouetteStar™ or eKare inSight® enable 3D wound mapping and depth assessment—helping clinicians monitor cavity volume and tunneling over time.
  • Hydrofiber and Alginate Ribbons: Products like AQUACEL® Extra™ or KALTOSTAT® conform to the wound base and absorb exudate while minimizing trauma during dressing changes.
  • Biofilm-Targeting Dressings: Antimicrobial dressings such as SURGICAL® PHMB or Sorbact® Compress are designed to reduce bioburden and support granulation in hard-to-access wound cavities.
  • Irrigation & Negative Pressure Kits: Devices like the Veraflo™ NPWT system combine negative pressure with instillation therapy, helping to cleanse and debride complex wounds more effectively.

These solutions—when used in conjunction with a structured assessment strategy—can significantly enhance outcomes in cavity wound care by reducing complications and supporting faster healing trajectories.

MediWound Highlights Consensus Supporting Debridement Strategy



MediWound Highlights Consensus Supporting Debridement Strategy

Summary: MediWound announced publication of a peer-reviewed supplement in WOUNDS featuring findings from a U.S.-based multidisciplinary consensus panel on debridement in chronic wounds. The panel redefines debridement as a biologically active process that drives healing by reducing biofilm and bacterial load, rather than mere removal of non-viable tissue. Experts recommend initiating treatment with effective, less invasive modalities when clinically appropriate, reserving surgical debridement for specific indications. The consensus highlights the gap in single-modality solutions and underscores the need for easy-to-use, clinically effective first-line therapies. MediWound’s enzymatic products (NexoBrid for burns; EscharEx in development for chronic wounds) align with this framework, with ongoing Phase III trials in venous leg ulcers and planned studies in diabetic foot and pressure ulcers.

Key Highlights:

  • Debridement reframed as active intervention targeting biofilm and bacteria
  • Preference for less invasive approaches first; surgical reserved for indicated cases
  • Supports enzymatic debridement strategies like bromelain-based therapies
  • Implications for standardized, effective chronic wound management

Read full article

Keywords: debridement consensus, chronic wound debridement, EscharEx, biofilm management

Photobiomodulation: The Art and Science of Cellular Healing



Photobiomodulation: The Art and Science of Cellular Healing

Summary: The November/December 2025 issue of *Wound Repair and Regeneration* features cutting-edge research on regenerative therapies, biofilm management, and surgical wound complications. Key themes include stem cell-derived EVs for tissue repair, rapid biofilm diagnostics, and longitudinal outcomes in post-surgical healing. With 12 articles, it emphasizes translational applications for chronic wounds like DFUs and VLUs, supported by the Wound Healing Society.

Key Highlights:

  • Focus Areas: EVs in regeneration (3 articles), biofilm/infection (2), surgical outcomes (2), biomaterials (2), basic science (3).
  • Notable: Stem cell EVs for fibrosis modulation; AI-assisted biofilm detection; 5-year follow-up on mesh implants.
  • Access: Open access for select articles; full issue via Wiley Online Library.
  • Implications: Bridges lab-to-clinic for 20-30% faster healing in trials.
  • Editors: Guest editors on EVs and infection; regular from WHS.

Browse full TOC

Keywords: WRR issue, stem cell EVs, biofilm, surgical wounds, WHS

Advancing Wound Hygiene as a standard protocol for hard-to-heal wounds in APAC and Turkey



Advancing Wound Hygiene as a standard protocol for hard-to-heal wounds in APAC and Turkey: Findings from an international meeting

Summary: October 15, 2025 supplement reports findings from August 2025 Beijing meeting (panel: Harikrishna KR Nair et al., >200 years experience). Advocates Wound Hygiene as standard routine protocol at every visit for hard-to-heal wounds: 1) Cleanse wound/surrounding skin, 2) Debride (initial/maintenance), 3) Refashion edges (align skin/bed), 4) Dress with biofilm-targeted therapies. Complements T.I.M.E./T.I.M.E.R.S./Wound Balance/M.O.I.S.T.; prefers “hard-to-heal” over “chronic” to encourage hope/action. Biofilm in 60-100% cases makes protocol biofilm-focused. Consensus: Adopt universally (generalists/specialists), integrate workflows, prioritize education/competencies (tiered training), use digital tools (photography/3D), generate real-world evidence (pilots/registries). Barriers: Patient awareness/delays, provider scope restrictions, system reimbursement/infrastructure gaps. Recommendations: Blended training, local endorsement, phased evidence (minimal datasets), policy engagement for accreditation. Implications: Standardizes care, reduces delays/complications/costs; scalable in diverse APAC/Turkey settings.

Key Highlights:

  • Protocol: 4 steps at every change; biofilm-centric.
  • Evidence: 94% improvement in European analysis.
  • Barriers/Recommendations: Education, tools, real-world data.
  • Relevance: Standardizes hygiene for chronic/hard-to-heal wounds.

Read supplement

Keywords: wound hygiene, hard-to-heal wounds, biofilm protocol, APAC consensus

Microbion Corporation Receives up to $2.1 million in Funding Support from the US Navy

in Partnership with CUBRC, Inc. to Advance Topical Pravibismane

 

Funding will support exploratory phase 2 proof-of-concept study in patients hospitalized for moderate to severe diabetic foot ulcer infection (DFI)

 

BOZEMAN, Mont. and VANCOUVER, BC, June 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Microbion Corporation of Bozeman, MT, today announced that it has received non-dilutive funding through its strategic partnership with CUBRC, Inc., a Buffalo-based, independent not-for-profit research company, of up to $2.1 million from the US Navy through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) partnership. The funding project is titled “Pravibismane Suspension as a Topical, Broad Spectrum Anti-Infective Wound Care Treatment and Prevention for Combat Injury-Related Infections”. The funding received will be used to support the conduct of an exploratory phase 2 proof of concept trial in patients hospitalized for moderate to severe diabetic foot ulcer infection with enrollment expected to begin in Q2 2022.

 

“We are pleased to be supported by the US Navy and MTEC and are working closely with them to advance our topical pravibismane through phase 2 proof-of-concept studies,” said Karim Lalji, CEO of Microbion Pharma Corp. “Our topical diabetic foot ulcer infection program is well aligned to the Navy’s interest in innovative wound care technologies to treat and prevent biofilm-related infections, since biofilm contamination is a hallmark characteristic of chronic foot ulcer infections. Further exploration of pravibismane’s safety and efficacy in overcoming biofilm-related DFI may potentially expand the clinical utility of topical pravibismane to treat combat wound infections in a variety of settings, including in the field and hospital.”

 

Lester Martinez, MD, MPH, Major General (Retired), U.S. Army, President and Chairman of MTEC Board commented on the importance of Microbion’s research. “Though diabetic foot ulcer infections aren’t traditionally thought of as a combat related wound suffered in the field, diabetes is a serious disease that affects a significantly high percentage of our veterans and its complications such as DFI contributes to decline in health, quality of life and are responsible for the vast majority of non-combat amputations among veterans. Microbion’s research into healing these wounds with the ultimate goal of preventing or delaying amputations can potentially improve the daily lives of these patients and return normal mobility,” Dr. Martinez stated.

 

Pravibismane is the first in a new class of anti-infective drugs structurally unrelated to other clinically utilized antibiotics. With a novel mechanism of action, pravibismane shuts down bacterial ATP production thereby halting global bacterial cellular metabolism. In in vitro studies, pravibismane exhibits broad-spectrum, potent activity against DFI-relevant pathogens and their biofilms including MRSA and drug resistant P. aeruginosa.

 

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1b trial treating patients with chronic moderate to severe diabetic foot ulcer infection, topical pravibismane treatment plus standard of care demonstrated a numeric 85% wound size reduction versus 30% placebo plus standard of care. Pravibismane also demonstrated a numeric reduction in ulcer-related amputation (2.6% in the pravibismane group vs 15.4% placebo).

 

DFIs are a major health concern in the Veterans Health Administration as DFUs are associated with a substantial mortality rate (five-year mortality rates are as high as 45% for neuropathic ulcers and 55% for ischemic ulcers1) and often require amputation to fully address the nidus of infection.2 Approximately 28.5 million adults in the US are diagnosed with diabetes, of whom 15 – 25% are at risk of developing a foot ulcer.3,4 More than half of diabetic foot ulcers become infected.5 DFIs remain the most frequent diabetic complication requiring hospitalization and are the most common precipitating event leading to lower extremity amputation.6 Furthermore, recent studies suggest that many DFIs are caused by bacteria in a biofilm mode.6 In 2018, there were ~8.25 million hospital discharges with diabetes reported, including 154,000 for a lower-extremity amputation.3 US Veterans Affairs estimates there were 20.3 million living Veterans in 2018.7 The overall prevalence of diabetes among US veterans is ~25%, which is higher than the US civilian population at ~9%.8

 

References:

  1. Del Core MA, Ahn J, Lewis RB, et al. The evaluation and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and diabetic foot infections. Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics. 2018;3:3. doi:10.1177/2473011418788864
  2. Sundararajan PP, Porter BM, Grant KA, et al. Foot infections in the Veterans Health Administration. The Foot and Ankle Online Journal. 2015;8(3):1. doi:10.3827/faoj.2015.0803.0001
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report website. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html, accessed June 6, 2022
  4. Lavery LA, Davis KE, Berriman SJ, et al. WHS guidelines update: Diabetic foot ulcer treatment guidelines. Wound Repair Regen. 2016;24(1):112–26. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12391
  5. Armstrong, DG, Boulton, AJM, and Bus, SA. Diabetic foot ulcers and their recurrence. N Engl J Med. 2017;376:2367-75. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1615439
  6. Lipsky et al. Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of foot infection in persons with diabetes (IWGDF 2019 update). Diab Metab Res Rev. 2020. e3280. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.3280
  7. VETPop2018: A Brief Description. Web: https://www.va.gov/vetdata/docs/Demographics/New_Vetpop_Model/VP_18_A_Brief_Description.pdf, accessed June 6, 2022
  8. Liu Y, Sayam S, Shao X, et al. Prevalence of and trends in diabetes among veterans, United States, 2005–2014. Prev Chronic Dis. 2017;14:170230. doi: 10.5888/pcd14.170230

 

About Microbion
Microbion is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing a new class of therapeutic compounds to improve the lives of patients with rare and serious diseases. Microbion’s lead drug candidate, pravibismane, is the first product in this new class and has a novel mechanism of action offering unique potential to address the unmet needs of chronic and severe health conditions. The Company is advancing inhaled pravibismane in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of chronic lung diseases, including non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and cystic fibrosis-related lung infections. Topical/local pravibismane is in Phase 2 development for the treatment of chronic wounds and orthopedic infections. Pravibismane has received backing from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, NIH, US DoD, and CARB-X with over $21 million in grants. The FDA has granted pravibismane with Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and QIDP designations. Microbion Pharma Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microbion Corporation. For more information visit: www.microbioncorp.com.

 

About CUBRC
CUBRC is an independent not-for-profit scientific corporation that executes Research, Development, Testing and Systems Integration programs in Medical Sciences, Chemical and Biological Defense, Data Science and Information Fusion, Command and Control, and Hypersonics. For more information visit: www.cubrc.org.

 

Safe Harbor Statement
Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking, such as those, among others, relating to the success of clinical development of pravibismane and preparation for potential commercialization. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: our ability to enroll patients in our clinical trials at the pace that we project; the size and growth of the potential markets for pravibismane or any future product candidates and our ability to serve those markets; our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of pravibismane or any future product candidates; and our expectations regarding the potential safety, efficacy or clinical utility of pravibismane or any future product candidates. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Microbion Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

US Government Funding Disclaimer
Efforts described herein were partially sponsored by the Government under Other Transactions Number W81XWH-15-9-0001. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.

 

SOURCE Microbion Corporation

This article was originally published here

Phytotherapy for Chronic Wound Management in the Era of Antibiotic Resistance

Phytotherapy for Chronic Wound Management in the Era of Antibiotic Resistance

Summary: This literature review explores the potential of plant-derived compounds (phytocompounds) in managing chronic wounds, particularly in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm-associated infections. Chronic wounds often stall in the inflammatory phase, complicated by polymicrobial biofilms that protect pathogens and resist antibiotics. Phytotherapy offers biocompatible, low-toxicity, and cost-effective alternatives with antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and wound-healing properties. Compounds such as flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannic acid, coumarin, resveratrol, berberine, and curcumin show promise in reducing oxidative stress, promoting clotting, stimulating collagen synthesis, and combating infections. Combining natural agents with conventional therapies could enhance outcomes and reduce reliance on resistant antibiotics.

Key Highlights:

  • Background: Chronic wounds are characterized by impaired healing, prolonged inflammation, and frequent biofilm-driven infections. AMR limits the effectiveness of antibiotics, underscoring the need for novel strategies.
  • Mechanisms: Phytocompounds disrupt quorum sensing, suppress virulence factors, reduce oxidative stress, and stimulate angiogenesis and fibroblast activity. They enhance all four healing phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
  • Examples:
    • Coumarin: reduces oxidative stress, stabilizes clotting, improves perfusion.
    • Tannic acid: promotes coagulation, wound contraction, and capillary growth.
    • Curcumin: modulates growth factors, reduces oxidative stress, enhances collagen synthesis.
    • Resveratrol: anti-inflammatory, reduces cytokine activity, supports angiogenesis.
    • Berberine: antimicrobial and vascular-stabilizing effects.
  • Clinical potential: Phytocompounds offer synergy with conventional care, biocompatibility, and lower costs. Their antioxidant and antimicrobial effects make them attractive for integration into wound care regimens.
  • Limitations: Evidence remains largely preclinical or early clinical. More controlled trials are required to standardize dosing, delivery, and long-term outcomes.

Read the full article on Wounds (HMP Global Learning Network)

Keywords:
phytotherapy,
chronic wounds,
antimicrobial resistance,
biofilms,
curcumin,
resveratrol,
berberine,
tannic acid,
coumarin

Spot-on phage therapy: stable formulations, smarter dosing for topical phage application



Spot-on phage therapy: stable formulations, smarter dosing for topical phage application

Summary: This 2026 review addresses key barriers to clinical adoption of topical bacteriophage therapy for wound and burn infections amid rising antimicrobial resistance. It synthesizes data on phage titers (typically 10^7–10^9 PFU/mL), multiplicity of infection (MOI), formulation stability (hydrogels, cetomacrogol creams, polymer sprays, chitosan films), and delivery via wound dressings. Mature biofilms require higher/repeated dosing or combination with depolymerase-armed phages and antibiotics for effective clearance. The authors emphasize standardized PK/PD frameworks, rigorous stability testing (e.g., creams stable up to 90 days at 4°C), and precise dosing protocols to translate phage therapy from lab to bedside for biofilm-related wound infections.

Key Highlights:

  • Therapeutic phage concentrations and MOI guidance for planktonic vs. biofilm bacteria
  • Stable formulations (hydrogels, creams, sprays) preserve activity and enable controlled release
  • Strategies for mature biofilms: repeated dosing, cocktails, or enzymatic combinations
  • Authors: Sandhu JS, Parida A

Read full article (open access)

Keywords: phage therapy wounds, topical phage application, biofilm wound infections, Sandhu JS

AmpliPhi receives positive feedback from FDA for its …

     AB-PA01 product targeting P.aeruginosa infections

 

AmpliPhi Biosciences Corporation, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on precisely targeted bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections, today announced that the company has received positive feedback, via written response, from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its development plans for AB-PA01, without the need for a Type B Pre-IND meeting … “We are delighted with the FDA’s response to our development plans for AB-PA01, AmpliPhi’s bacteriophage product candidate targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, and the FDA’s concurrence on the proposed design of two randomized controlled clinical trials, in hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia and P. aeruginosabacteremia,” said Paul C. Grint, M.D., CEO … read more

AmpliPhi Biosciences Announces Updated Positive Clinical Results

     for its Expanded Access Program

 

  • 21 patients at 7 hospitals, with serious or life-threatening infections not responding to antibiotics, have now been treated with AB-SA01 (targeting S. aureus) or AB-PA01 (targeting P. aeruginosa) under AmpliPhi’s expanded access program
  • Over 1,000 doses of bacteriophage product candidates, AB-SA01 or AB-PA01, have been administered as part of the expanded access program since mid-2017 and have been generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse events attributable to bacteriophage treatment
  • 84% of patients achieved treatment success at the end of therapy

 

AmpliPhi Biosciences Corporation (NYSE American: APHB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on precisely targeted bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections, today announced updated topline clinical results for its ongoing single-patient expanded access program. 84% of patients achieved treatment success (physician’s assessment) at the end of therapy, defined as complete resolution or significant improvement of baseline signs and symptoms.

 

AmpliPhi has now provided its investigational bacteriophage therapeutics for a total of 21 patients, at 7 hospitals, with serious or life-threatening infections not responding to antibiotic therapy. These patients were treated with AB-SA01 or AB-PA01 under single-patient expanded access programs in the U.S. (Emergency INDs per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) or Australia (Special Access Scheme per the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration). The following analysis updates the data previously announced by the company on January 3, 2018 … read more

$45 Million Settlement Medicare Fraud in Wound Care Billing

$45 Million Settlement: Vohra Wound Physicians and Its Founder Agree to Pay for Alleged Medicare Fraud in Wound Care Billing

November 25, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that Vohra Wound Physicians Management LLC, the nation’s largest multispecialty wound-care physician group serving skilled-nursing facilities, and its founder and owner, Dr. Ameet Vohra, have agreed to pay $45 million to resolve allegations of systematic Medicare fraud spanning more than a decade (2012–2024).

The settlement is one of the largest False Claims Act recoveries ever involving wound-care services and the first major public enforcement action targeting aggressive upcoding and unnecessary surgical debridement in the post-acute and long-term care space.

Core Allegations (as outlined in the DOJ settlement agreement)

  1. Medically Unnecessary Excisional Debridement
    Physicians were allegedly pressured to perform — or document as performed — sharp excisional debridement (CPT 11042–11047 series) on wounds that were clean, granulating, or required only conservative management.

  2. Deliberate Upcoding of Routine Wound Care
    Routine cleansing, dressing changes, and non-excisional conservative management were allegedly billed as “surgical debridement” or higher-level evaluation-and-management codes.

  3. Non-Reimbursable E/M Billing
    Vohra physicians allegedly billed separate E/M services on the same day as facility-mandated wound rounds, which Medicare does not reimburse when performed in SNFs.

  4. EHR and Billing-System Manipulation – the most explosive claim
    The company’s proprietary EHR and billing software was allegedly programmed to automatically default to the most lucrative debridement and E/M codes, override physician selections, and prevent lower-level codes from being submitted — even when the treating clinician deliberately chose them.

  5. Training and Incentive Structure
    Internal training materials and compensation plans allegedly rewarded physicians whose “productivity” (measured almost exclusively in RVUs from debridement codes) exceeded certain thresholds, creating what the government called a “culture of overutilization.”

Settlement Breakdown and Corporate Integrity Agreement

  • Civil settlement: $45,000,000
  • Five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with mandatory independent audits, annual risk assessments, EHR transparency requirements, and physician-level billing monitoring
  • No admission of liability (standard in most FCA settlements)
  • Ability-to-pay analysis was not cited, indicating the company had sufficient liquidity to pay the full amount

Why This Case Matters to the Entire Wound-Care Ecosystem

  1. Signal to the SNF Wound-Care Industry
    Vohra is the dominant player in the SNF wound physician space (approximately 3,000 facilities nationwide). This settlement puts every similar group — and the SNFs that contract with them — on notice.

  2. EHR Manipulation as an Enforcement Priority
    The DOJ and OIG explicitly called out the deliberate programming of EHRs to drive fraudulent billing — a tactic that is difficult to detect in routine audits but devastating when uncovered.

  3. Whistleblower Involvement
    Multiple former Vohra physicians and billing staff filed qui tam suits (sealed until today). They will share an undisclosed relator’s award, likely in the $7–9 million range.

  4. Ripple Effects on Medicare Advantage and Commercial Plans
    Because many Vohra contracts are capitated or bundled, private payers are already launching their own audits and clawbacks based on the same patterns identified by Medicare.

  5. Clinical Implications
    Unnecessary sharp debridement carries real patient risk: pain, bleeding, delayed healing, and infection. Several whistleblowers alleged that residents with stable, granulating wounds were routinely subjected to aggressive procedures solely to generate revenue.

Industry Reaction (early statements as of Nov 25, 2025)

  • Alliance for Wound Care Stakeholders: “We support appropriate enforcement but are concerned that legitimate, evidence-based debridement will now be second-guessed.”
  • American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA): Issued a call for clearer CMS guidance on excisional vs selective debridement documentation.
  • Major SNF chains (Genesis, Ensign, ProMedica): Declined comment or stated they are “reviewing contracts and internal audits.”

What Happens Next

  • Expect a wave of OIG and Medicare contractor (MAC/UPIC) audits targeting debridement claims in SNFs nationwide.
  • EHR vendors serving the wound space are likely to face subpoenas regarding default settings and hard-coded billing rules.
  • Private whistleblower suits against other large wound-physician groups have already been filed under seal.

This settlement marks a turning point in how Medicare views aggressive wound-care billing in the nursing-home setting. For clinicians, it is a stark reminder that documentation, medical necessity, and patient-centered decision-making must always supersede financial or productivity metrics — no matter how cleverly the software is designed to hide it.

Sources
U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs (Nov 25, 2025)
Settlement Agreement and Corporate Integrity Agreement (publicly available on OIG website)
Multiple sealed qui tam complaints unsealed today in the Eastern District of Texas and Southern District of Florida

Stay tuned — this story is far from over.

Skin Sights from Winter Clinical Miami 2026

Skin Sights from Winter Clinical Miami 2026: Key Dermatology Advances with Wound Care Relevance

Summary: Dermatology Times published a LinkedIn roundup of clinical highlights from the 2026 Winter Clinical Miami Dermatology Conference, held February 27–March 1 at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry in Aventura, Florida. The three-day CME conference convened leading dermatologists for comprehensive updates across medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Sessions of particular relevance to wound care practitioners included content on inflammatory skin disease — including advances in biologics targeting IL-17, IL-23, and IL-4/13 pathways that intersect with skin barrier dysfunction and chronic wound inflammation — as well as melanoma diagnostics, acne and rosacea management, and emerging AI-driven practice tools. Mark Lebwohl, MD, presented advances in psoriasis including the investigational oral peptide icotrokinra and a new extended-release formulation of apremilast, while multiple sessions addressed atopic dermatitis pipeline progress, including new biologics and JAK inhibitors. The meeting also featured a session on pediatric dermatology, skin of color, and a 20-tips-in-20-minutes rapid-fire clinical pearls panel integrating practice management, off-label treatment considerations, and AI-driven operational strategies. A separate track for early-career dermatologists addressed contract negotiation, ethical industry collaboration, and workflow optimization. The LinkedIn article, produced by Dermatology Times, aggregates key takeaways relevant to dermatology and skin care practice from across the full conference program.

Key Highlights:

  • Conference dates: February 27–March 1, 2026 | Location: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry, Aventura, Florida
  • Psoriasis advances: icotrokinra (investigational oral peptide) and 75-mg extended-release apremilast — expanding the oral treatment landscape for inflammatory skin disease
  • Atopic dermatitis pipeline: new biologics and JAK inhibitors discussed alongside IL-23 inhibition advances with tildrakizumab real-world Medicare durability data
  • AI in practice: tools for EMR-based patient recall, aesthetic scheduling, and operational revenue generation — directly applicable to wound care clinic management
  • Pediatric focus: Lisa Swanson, MD, shared prior-authorization-free treatment strategies and called for expanded research inclusion for children under 12
  • Wound care relevance: advances in skin barrier biology, biologic immunology, and anti-inflammatory pathway targeting have direct implications for chronic wound pathophysiology and management

Read full article

Keywords: dermatology conference 2026, skin inflammation wound, biologics skin disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis wound care, Winter Clinical Miami

Dermatology Times Editorial Team

Advanced Small Extracellular Vesicles Delivery Systems for In Situ Tissue Engineering

Advanced Small Extracellular Vesicles Delivery Systems for In Situ Tissue Engineering

Summary: Published March 12, 2026 in Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids (OAE Publishing, Vol. 7, pp. 354–376), this comprehensive review from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology and Peking University Third Hospital systematically covers the state of the art in small extracellular vesicle (sEV) delivery systems for in situ tissue engineering — an approach that activates the body’s innate regenerative capacity by implanting bioactive materials rather than transplanting pre-constructed grafts. sEVs (30–150 nm diameter) are natural nanovesicles secreted by virtually all cell types, carrying lipids, proteins, DNA, RNA, and microRNAs that mediate intercellular communication and regulate immune responses, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration. Their key advantages — low immunogenicity, multi-target regulatory capability, and ability to cross biological barriers — make them promising cell-free alternatives in regenerative medicine. However, their therapeutic efficacy is dose-dependent and their rapid clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system (liver, spleen, kidneys) when administered systemically or locally limits therapeutic sustainability. The review covers sEVs derived from mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs, ADSCs, DPSCs), immune cells, endothelial cells, body fluids (platelet-rich plasma, milk), and plant-derived vesicle-like nanoparticles (PELNs from ginger, ginseng, purslane). For delivery systems, it categorises scaffold-based approaches (physical adsorption onto 3D-printed PLA, β-TCP, PLGA, PCL, titanium, and hydroxyapatite scaffolds; affinity coating using polydopamine, PEI, heparin, tannic acid, and calcium phosphate) and hydrogel-based approaches (direct physical entrapment in silk fibroin, GelMA, chitosan/ZnO, PEG hydrogels; chemical immobilisation via carbodiimide crosslinkers or CP05 fusion peptides targeting CD63). Applications in wound healing include ADSC-sEV acceleration of diabetic wound repair, HUVEC-sEV promotion of angiogenesis, microneedle patch delivery in diabetic wound models, and CP05-mediated sEV anchoring to hydrogels for granulation tissue formation. Future directions discussed include long-term sustained release systems and environmentally responsive (pH-, temperature-, enzyme-triggered) release platforms.

Key Highlights:

  • sEV sources compared: MSC-derived (BMSC, ADSC, DPSC) for bone, immune, and wound healing; HUVEC-derived for angiogenesis; platelet-rich plasma for anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects; plant-derived PELNs for anti-inflammatory and gut microbiota modulation
  • Scaffold delivery strategies: physical adsorption (simple but burst-releasing) vs. affinity coating using polydopamine, PEI, calcium phosphate — PDA and biomineralised scaffolds enable sustained sEV release for up to 21 days
  • Hydrogel strategies: direct encapsulation (silk fibroin, GelMA, chitosan/ZnO-NPs for diabetic wound dressings) vs. covalent immobilisation via CP05 fusion peptides targeting CD63 on sEV surface — enables more sustained, controlled retention at wound site
  • Wound healing applications: ADSC-sEVs regulate Keap1/Nrf2 axis in diabetic wound fibroblasts; HUVEC-sEVs combined with tazarotene accelerate cell proliferation and tube formation; microneedle-MOF platforms deliver antimicrobial effect plus sEV-mediated tissue repair
  • Responsive release: hydrogel-embedded sEVs can be engineered for pH-, temperature-, enzyme-, and electrical-responsive release — aligning drug delivery with the dynamic phases of wound healing (inflammation, proliferation, remodelling)
  • Key challenges: large-scale sEV production yield, standardisation of preparations, long-term release kinetics optimisation, and clinical translation from preclinical models to human trials

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Keywords: extracellular vesicles wound healing, exosome wound care, sEV diabetic wound healing, hydrogel wound dressing drug delivery, in situ tissue engineering wound, stem cell exosome angiogenesis

Yike Gao, Jingyi Sang, Yuming Zhao, Yue Wang, Zuoying Yuan

Evaluation of Enhanced Antibacterial and Diabetic Wound-Healing Activity

Myrrh Oil-Based Nanoemulsion Loaded with Curcumin and Insulin: Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of Enhanced Antibacterial and Diabetic Wound-Healing Activity

Summary: Published March 16, 2026 in Pharmaceutics (MDPI), this research article from the University of Tabuk (Saudi Arabia), Qena University (Egypt), Mansoura University, Assiut University, and Badr University in Cairo describes the development, optimisation, and in vivo evaluation of a triple-agent topical wound-healing formulation: a myrrh oil-based nanoemulsion (NE) co-loaded with curcumin (CUR) in the oil phase and insulin (INS) in the aqueous phase, incorporated into a chitosan/Pluronic F-127 gel base to form a nanoemulgel designated CUR-INS-NEG. Each of the three active agents — myrrh oil (sesquiterpenes, furanoeudesma-1,3-diene), curcumin (polyphenol from Curcuma longa), and topical insulin — contributes distinct wound-healing properties (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and angiogenic/growth factor-upregulating), and their co-formulation into a single stable delivery system exploits therapeutic complementarity. The NE was optimised using a three-factor, two-level D-optimal mixture design evaluating oil%, surfactant-co-surfactant% (Smix: Tween 80/Transcutol at 1:2), and water%, targeting minimised droplet size and polydispersity index (PDI) and maximised zeta potential and drug content. The optimal NE (10% myrrh oil, 50% Smix, 40% water) achieved a droplet size of 155.2 ± 0.8 nm, PDI of 0.28, zeta potential of −31.4 ± 0.8 mV, and drug content of 98.3 ± 0.6% — consistent with predicted values (desirability index 0.988). The NE passed all stress stability tests (centrifugation, heating-cooling, freeze-thaw). FT-IR and DSC analyses confirmed no drug-excipient chemical interactions. The final CUR-INS-NEG gel had a pH of 6.9–7.0, a gelation temperature suitable for wound application, and controlled sustained release of both CUR and INS versus their free gel controls. In antibacterial testing against five strains (S. aureus ATCC 6538, E. coli ATCC 8739, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. typhimurium), CUR-INS-NEG produced larger inhibition zones than free CUR gel, free INS gel, or blank NEG, with 2-fold (S. aureus) and 4-fold (E. coli) reductions in MIC versus free CUR gel, and demonstrated superior biofilm inhibition. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat wound model (40 animals; four groups × 8 animals; 21-day topical treatment), CUR-INS-NEG achieved the highest wound contraction rate, most advanced collagen deposition (Masson’s trichrome), and best anti-inflammatory (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6 suppression) and antioxidant (Nrf-2 upregulation, MDA reduction, GSH preservation) outcomes versus CUR gel, INS gel, and blank NEG, while TGF-β and VEGF immunohistochemistry confirmed superior pro-regenerative signalling.

Key Highlights:

  • Triple-agent nanoemulgel (CUR-INS-NEG): myrrh oil (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic), curcumin (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial), and topical insulin (growth factor upregulation, granulation tissue formation) co-formulated for synergistic diabetic wound healing
  • Optimised nanoemulsion: 155.2 nm droplet size, PDI 0.28, zeta potential −31.4 mV, drug content 98.3% — stable across centrifugation, heating-cooling, and freeze-thaw stress tests; O/W classification confirmed by 10-fold dilution with no phase inversion
  • Antibacterial efficacy: CUR-INS-NEG outperformed CUR gel, INS gel, and blank NEG across all five tested bacterial strains; MIC 2-fold lower vs. CUR gel for S. aureus and 4-fold lower for E. coli; strong biofilm inhibition (>50%) against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains
  • In vivo wound contraction (diabetic rat model, 21 days): CUR-INS-NEG achieved highest wound closure rate; collagen deposition, VEGF expression, and TGF-β signalling all superior to individual CUR gel or INS gel groups
  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profile: significant suppression of NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6; upregulation of Nrf-2; reduction in MDA; preservation of GSH — addressing the chronic oxidative-inflammatory wound environment characteristic of diabetes
  • Formulation advantages: nanoscale droplets enhance skin penetration to wound bed; chitosan/Pluronic F-127 gel provides extended residence time, thermoresponsive gelation at body temperature, and bioadhesion — improving patient compliance for topical wound application

Read full article

Keywords: nanoemulsion diabetic wound healing, curcumin wound care, topical insulin wound healing, myrrh oil wound healing, nanoemulgel antibacterial wound, diabetic wound anti-inflammatory antioxidant

Ayman Salama, Mona Qushawy, Ghareb M. Soliman

Electrochemical Modulation of Host-Microbe Dynamics in Wound Healing



Electrochemical Modulation of Host-Microbe Dynamics in Wound Healing

Summary: This review examines the growing field of bioelectric and electrochemical therapies in wound care. Electrical fields and electrochemical modulation can directly influence bacterial behavior, disrupt biofilms, promote beneficial microbial communities, and enhance host immune responses. The authors discuss current devices, mechanisms of action, and potential applications for chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers. This approach represents a promising adjunct to traditional wound care by targeting the complex host-microbe interface.

Key Highlights:

  • Electrical stimulation affects both host cells and wound pathogens
  • Potential to reduce biofilms and pathogenic load
  • Supports angiogenesis and tissue regeneration
  • Emerging as a complementary strategy in advanced wound management

Read full open-access review

Keywords: electrochemical wound healing, bioelectric therapy, wound microbiome

Bacteria can pass on memory to descendants, researchers discover

Led by scientists at UCLA, an international team of researchers has discovered that bacteria have a “memory” that passes sensory knowledge from one generation of cells to the next, all without a central nervous system or any neurons.

 

“This is a huge surprise to us and to the field,” said Gerard Wong, a professor of bioengineering and of chemistry and biochemistry, member of the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA and one of the study’s senior authors.

 

These findings are a major step toward understanding hard-to-treat infections caused by bacterial biofilms in people with cystic fibrosis.

 

The team studied a strain of bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa that forms biofilms in the airways of people with cystic fibrosis and causes persistent infections that can be lethal. Bacterial biofilms can also form on surgical implants, like an artificial hip; when they do, they can cause the implant to fail. Bacterial biofilms are composed of genetically identical bacteria cells that can colonize nearly any surface and form communities in which single cells organize and cooperate … read more

 

 

Suprasorb® Liquacel Pro & Ag: Advanced Gelling Fiber Dressings for Exudate & Bioburden Management

Suprasorb® Liquacel Pro & Ag: Advanced Gelling Fiber Dressings for Exudate & Bioburden Management

Wound Care Today highlights two hydroactive gelling fiber dressings—Suprasorb® Liquacel Pro and Suprasorb® Liquacel Ag—engineered for efficient exudate control and infection support in complex wounds.

Key Highlights:

  • Gel Formation & Vertical Absorbency: Both dressings transform into a conforming gel upon contact with wound exudate, maintaining moisture balance and protecting wound margins from maceration :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
  • Robust & Atraumatic: A blend of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and strengthening fibers ensures high wet tensile strength—dressing remains intact for smooth removal :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
  • Antimicrobial Silver Option: The “Ag” variant incorporates 1.1% silver nanoparticles, offering sustained antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity, effective against organisms like MRSA :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
  • Evidence Supports Use: A 4-week multicenter evaluation (n=19) showed improvements in wound status for 84% of participants, with reduced exudate, infection markers, and antibiotics in the silver group :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
  • Clinical Benefits: The dressings help with autolytic debridement, odor control, and biofilm reduction; they’re suitable for shallow, cavity, and exuding wounds under compression :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

These dressings are well-suited for hard-to-heal, moderately to heavily exuding wounds—especially those at risk of biofilm or infection—providing moisture management, exudate lock-in, and atraumatic removal.

Keywords: gelling fiber, exudate management, silver antimicrobial, autolytic debridement, biofilm control

Read the full article on Wound Care Today

🔬 Spotlight: Comparable Gelling Fiber Products

Explore these clinically validated gelling fiber dressings that perform similarly in exudate management and ease of use:

Medline Opticell Gelling Fiber: Chitosan-based Cytoform technology forms an absorbent, clear gel—ideal for partial to full-thickness wounds, with up to 7‑day wear time.
McKesson Gelling Fiber Dressing: Affordable option for managing exudate across various wound types, offering reliable absorbency and wet/tensile strength.
3M Kerracel Gelling Fiber: Known for strong absorbency, maceration protection, and compatibility with compressive therapy in venous/diabetic ulcers.

What am I Putting on My Wounds and Why

“What Am I Putting on My Wounds and Why?”

Jacob Wynes, DPM, MS, FACFAS—Assistant Professor at University of Maryland and Program Director for Limb Preservation and Deformity Correction Fellowship—delivers a practical CME lecture on chronic wound management, wound physiology, and strategic topical therapy selection.

Key Insights:

  • Wound Physiology Primer: Covers the phases of healing and common barriers such as biofilm, presence of non-viable tissue, infection, and patient-level factors (e.g., smoking, substance use).
  • Diagnosis Before Treatment: Emphasizes identifying wound etiology through assessment of perfusion, infection, pressure, and systemic health before selecting dressings.
  • Topical Treatment Rationale: Guides clinicians on choosing between dressings—such as hydrogels, alginates, foams, silver-based options, and more—based on exudate levels, wound depth, infection risk, and tissue requirements.
  • Management of Biofilm & Debridement: Advocates for combining physical debridement, anti-biofilm agents, and appropriate dressings that support autolytic debridement while maintaining an ideal moisture balance.
  • Patient & System-Level Considerations: Discusses how patient behavior (e.g. smoking, poor nutrition) and social issues (e.g. housing, access to care) critically influence wound healing success.

This CME activity reinforces that effective wound care requires a thoughtful, physiologic approach—balancing scientific rationale, patient context, and appropriate product selection for optimal healing outcomes.

Keywords:
Jacob Wynes, DPM, MS, FACFAS,
wound physiology,
topical therapy,
biofilm management,
chronic wounds,
debridement

Watch the lecture on Podiatry.com

Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship: an update

Antimicrobial Resistance & Stewardship: A Wound-Care Update

Published in Volume 33, Issue 2 of Wound Practice & Research (June 2025), this narrative review by Mark G. Rippon, Alan A. Rogers, and Karen Ousey explores the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its implications for wound care. The article underscores the urgency of implementing robust antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies in both acute and chronic wound management.

Key Highlights:

  • Rising Threat of AMR: The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have contributed to rising resistance in wound pathogens, particularly in biofilm-associated infections that are difficult to eradicate.
  • Core Elements of Stewardship: AMS programs emphasize the judicious use of antimicrobials—optimizing drug selection, dosage, treatment duration, and administration route to reduce resistance and improve outcomes.
  • Biofilm Considerations: Biofilms in chronic wounds complicate treatment due to their tolerance to antibiotics and host defenses, reinforcing the need for tailored AMS approaches in wound care settings.
  • Alternative Strategies: The review discusses the role of antimicrobial dressings, bacteriophage therapy, and novel bioengineered compounds as potential tools to reduce reliance on systemic antibiotics.
  • Global AMS Initiatives: Effective stewardship requires a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating surveillance, diagnostic stewardship, prescribing audits, and education at all levels of care.

As wound-related infections continue to evolve, the integration of AMS principles into clinical practice is critical to sustaining effective treatment options and minimizing the spread of resistance.

Keywords:
Mark G. Rippon,
Alan A. Rogers,
Karen Ousey,
antimicrobial resistance,
antimicrobial stewardship,
chronic wound infection,
biofilm,
antimicrobial dressing

Read the full article in Wound Practice & Research

Phytotherapy for Chronic Wound Management in the Era of Antibiotic Resistance



Phytotherapy for Chronic Wound Management in the Era of Antibiotic Resistance

Summary: This literature review examines the potential of phytotherapy—using plant-derived compounds like flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids—as an alternative to antibiotics for managing chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and venous leg ulcers (VLUs) amid rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm challenges. Drawing from preclinical and early clinical studies, it highlights how phytocompounds disrupt bacterial virulence, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and enhance hemostasis, proliferation, and remodeling phases of healing via pathways like TGF-β, NF-κB, and MAPK. Cost-effective and biocompatible, these agents show synergy with antibiotics and promise in topical formulations, though larger RCTs are needed for clinical adoption.

Key Highlights:

  • Key phytocompounds: Curcumin (anti-inflammatory, collagen stimulation), quercetin (biofilm inhibition, M2 macrophage polarization), berberine (DNA disruption, vascular regeneration), resveratrol (COX inhibition, neutrophil reduction), and tannic acid (clotting promotion, free radical scavenging).
  • Mechanisms: Disrupt quorum sensing and EPS in biofilms; modulate cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α), growth factors (VEGF, PDGF), and pathways (AGE-RAGE, IL-17) to counter AMR and oxidative damage in chronic wounds.
  • Evidence: In vitro/animal studies show enhanced closure (e.g., quercetin + gentamicin in diabetic mice); clinical potential in bromelain (NexoBrid for debridement) and curcumin hydrogels; synergy against MRSA in combinatorial therapies.
  • Applications to DFUs/VLUs: Promote granulation, angiogenesis, and ECM synthesis; reduce infection risks in high-burden settings, with nanophytosomes improving delivery.
  • Implications: Affordable adjuncts to standard care; limitations include bioavailability issues and need for standardized trials to integrate into wound protocols.

Read full article

Keywords: phytotherapy, antibiotic resistance, chronic wounds, biofilm disruption, phytocompounds, Kajal Rawat, Reema Gabrani

Kane Biotech Secures $800K to Accelerate Revyve Wound Portfolio



Kane Biotech Secures $800K to Accelerate Revyve Wound Portfolio

Summary: Kane Biotech (TSX-V: KNE) launches non-brokered private placement: up to 16M shares at $0.05 for $800K gross, closing ~Dec 17, 2025. Funds support working capital, advancing Revyve line against biofilms (key to resistance/poor healing). Gel/Spray FDA-cleared/Health Canada-approved; Cleanser submitted Sep 2025 (pending). Insiders may join; shares hold 4+ months. Stock at $0.035 (52-wk: $0.03–0.13). Bolsters chronic wound solutions amid rising biofilm challenges.

Key Highlights:

  • Funding: $800K (16M shares @ $0.05); close Dec 17, 2025.
  • Portfolio: Revyve Gel/Spray cleared; Cleanser pending FDA.
  • Target: Microbial biofilms in chronic wounds.
  • Stock: $0.035 (Nov 27 close); insiders participating.
  • Authors: Kane Biotech Inc. (announcement).

Read full article

Keywords: Kane Biotech, Revyve, biofilm, private placement, wound gel, antibiotic resistance

ECM-Based Therapies Tackle Chronic Inflammation in Hard-to-Heal Wounds

ECM-Based Therapies Tackle Chronic Inflammation in Hard-to-Heal Wounds

An article in *Podiatry Today* (July 2025) from HMP Global explores how extracellular matrix (ECM) therapies can shift chronic wounds—including diabetic foot ulcers and pressure injuries—from a stalled inflammatory state into active healing.

Key Highlights:

  • ECM’s Multifaceted Role: ECM scaffolds help regulate inflammation, support cellular migration and proliferation, guide tissue remodeling, and prevent excessive ECM degradation.
  • Breaking the Inflammation Stall: Chronic wounds often pause in inflammation due to biofilm, cytokine imbalance, and elevated proteases. ECM therapies help rebalance these factors to restart healing.
  • Common ECM Scaffolds: Clinically used acellular matrices include collagen grafts, small intestinal submucosa, amniotic membranes, fetal-derived placental products, and ovine forestomach matrix.
  • Next‑Gen Innovations: Advanced ECMs integrate anti-inflammatory agents, growth factor sequestration (e.g., via heparan sulfate analogues), protease modulation, and nanofiber/microstructure engineering to enhance function.
  • Emerging Evidence: Real-world studies on ECM products—such as porcine placental matrix (InnovaMatrix®) and ovine forestomach matrix (Endoform®, Symphony®)—show promise in diabetic foot and venous ulcer healing.

This review highlights the growing role of ECM therapies in resolving chronic inflammation and reactivating stalled wounds, positioning them as crucial adjuncts in advanced wound-care protocols.

Source: “Targeting Chronic Inflammation: Extracellular Matrix Therapies in Hard-to-Heal Wounds,” *Podiatry Today* (July 2025), via HMP Global Learning Network.

Keywords: extracellular matrix therapy, chronic inflammation, ECM scaffolds, protease modulation, hard-to-heal wounds

Read the full article on HMP Global Learning Network

From Webs to Wound Healing: ASU Scientists Harness Silk for Medical Innovation



From Webs to Wound Healing: ASU Scientists Harness Silk for Medical Innovation

Summary: Arizona State University researchers, led by Professors Jeff Yarger and Kaushal Rege, are pioneering silk proteins from silkworms and spiders for advanced wound healing, as detailed in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. Their laser-activated sealants (LASEs) embed gold nanorods or indocyanine green in silk fibroin matrices, enabling near-infrared laser-triggered heating to seal wounds in seconds—stronger than sutures while minimizing trauma. Versatile forms (fibers, hydrogels, sponges) loaded with antibiotics like vancomycin promote sustained release, biocompatibility, and biodegradation, targeting chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores by enhancing tissue repair and infection prevention.

Key Highlights:

  • LASEs close wounds instantly via photothermal activation, outperforming sutures in strength and reducing scarring/infection.
  • Silkworm silk fibroin serves as biocompatible matrix; spider egg-case silk explored for tendon-like scaffolds due to superior toughness.
  • Drug delivery: Sustained vancomycin release combats biofilms in chronic wounds; preclinical models confirm efficacy.
  • Versatility: Processable into 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering, personalized dressings with growth factors.
  • Future: Recombinant spider silk production to scale up; applications in DFUs, burns, and surgical sites for faster, safer healing.

Read full article

Keywords: spider silk, silk fibroin, laser-activated sealant, chronic wound healing, biodegradable scaffold

Pilot Study Could Improve Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers



Pilot Study Could Improve Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Summary: A recent pilot study suggests promising new strategies for treating chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a condition that remains difficult to manage despite standard care. The research evaluates innovative interventions aimed at overcoming biological barriers such as impaired angiogenesis, persistent inflammation, and biofilm formation. Early results indicate potential for faster wound closure and reduced complication rates. While larger trials are needed, the findings highlight opportunities to expand the therapeutic toolbox for DFUs and improve limb salvage outcomes for patients with diabetes.

Key Highlights:

  • Focuses on chronic, hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers
  • Explores novel approaches targeting key healing barriers
  • Early data shows potential for improved closure rates
  • Addresses a critical gap in current DFU treatment options

Read full article

Keywords: diabetic foot ulcers, DFU pilot study, chronic wound treatment

TECHNOLOGY EFFECTIVE AGAINST ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT PATHOGEN

RESEARCH SHOWS ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT CANDIDA ALBICANS IS KILLED BY EXPOSURE TO VOMARIS BIOELECTRIC V.DOX™ TECHNOLOGY

Vomaris Innovations, Inc. announced today the publication of results demonstrating that the company’s bioelectric V.Dox™ Technology is effective in killing antibiotic-resistant Candida albicans pathogens. The manuscript, “Ketoconazole Resistant Candida albicans is Sensitive to a Wireless Electroceutical Wound Care Dressing,” was published in Bioelectrochemistry https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107921. The research was led by Chandan K. Sen, Ph.D., Director of the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering at Indiana University and Distinguished Professor and J. Stanley Battersby Professor of Surgery at the IU School of Medicine.

 

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest global public health challenges of our time1. Every year, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States2, and 700,000+ people die globally3. Meanwhile, the discovery of novel antimicrobials is not keeping up with the emergence of new superbugs.1,4 “Antibiotic resistance is growing, and we are fast running out of treatment options. If we leave it to market forces alone, the new antibiotics we most urgently need are not going to be developed in time,” predicts Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Innovation.

 

In the study, researchers sought to determine whether the wireless electroceutical wound care dressing or “WED”, was effective in managing pathogenic molecular processes employed by ketoconazole-resistant yeast Candida albicans. Candida albicans poses a major threat to skin and wound infection. It’s typically treated topically with the drug ketoconazole. However, ketoconazole-resistant pathogens are an emerging threat in the management of skin infection.  The authors believe that the emergence of multidrug resistance in Candida albicans warrants the need for alternative, non-pharmacological methods of wound treatment.

 

Vomaris’s WED, powered by V.Dox™ Technology, is a proprietary pattern of embedded microcell batteries that wirelessly generates a low level of electricity in the presence of moisture.  The research team used an in vitro model to test WED alone, ketoconazole alone, and the combination of WED + ketoconazole, against ketoconazole-resistant Candida albicans. Three controls were used, including no treatment, plain polyester fabric, and a fabric impregnated with silver.

 

The researchers found that WED functioned in a multi-pronged manner to effectively treat ketoconazole-resistant Candida albicans. Findings included:

  • Prevented hyphal growth. The development of hyphae (long, branched filaments) is a critical part of albican’s growth cycle. Stopping hyphal growth prevents C. albicans from causing infection and subsequent tissue damage.
  • Impaired efflux pump system. Damaging this system prevents albicans from rejecting helpful antibiotics.
  • Damaged cell wall integrity. Weakening the cell wall structure allows antibiotics to reach the pathogen.
  • Disrupted biofilm formation. C. albicans develops a biofilm ‘shield’ to protect it from immune system and antibiotic attack. WED interfered with its ability to form biofilm.
  • In contrast, silver alone was ineffective in all experiments.

“This work presents clear evidence that the wireless electroceutical dressing kills ketoconazole-resistant Candida albicans,” said Dr. Sen. “Our findings introduce the option of a novel biophysical solution for fighting chronic wound infection in which antibiotic-resistant pathogens are prevalent.”

“These latest findings by Dr. Sen and team add to our growing body of evidence on the significant role electricity can play in combatting antibiotic-resistant pathogens. In this era of antibiotic stewardship, a wound care product that kills pathogens without the use of antibiotics is an important technological breakthrough,” said Vomaris President and CEO Michael Nagel. “Our V.Dox Technology is already FDA cleared and is the only bioelectric product of its kind in the marketplace today.”

IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

About Vomaris

Vomaris Innovations, Inc. (www.vomaris.com) is a privately held medical device company specializing in bioelectric technology that is redefining infection control and wound healing. Vomaris’s patented V.Dox™ Technology is defining the bioelectric wound care market; it’s the only platform in the world that powers a new generation of antimicrobial dressings for the wound and incisional care markets. The company currently has six randomized controlled trials in progress.

Vomaris and V.Dox and respective logos are trademarks of Vomaris Innovations, Inc.

 

Dressing Selection: Which Dressing to Choose?

Dressing selections can be overwhelming for clinicians and providers in health care. There are now well over 6,000 wound care products on the market. Ideally, there would be a multifunctional smart dressing that could “do it all” readily available in all settings. Unfortunately, we as health care providers know, that definitely isn’t the case.

 

Dressing category education plays a vital role in wound management. Knowing the functionality and appropriateness of the dressing is key in enhancing the wound healing process. As wound care clinicians, we want to be in a mindset of looking at our whole patient. However, let’s not forget the Wound Care Basics 101: wound bed preparation, monitoring, patient compliance, appropriateness of dressing, and addressing underlying factors or causes.

 

Biofilm formation is also a culprit for impeding wound healing. Most, if not all, ulcers develop a biofilm over time. It is reported 60% to 90% of chronic wounds contain a biofilm. Therefore, selecting the appropriate dressing for effectiveness is imperative … read more

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…to Editorial Board review. Montana State University’s Center for Biofilm Engineering has been a world leader in biofilm research for more than 25 years. A prestigious 11-year National Science Foundation…

Wound Bed Preparation: Important Terms to Know

Biofilm: A complex microbial community containing bacteria and fungi. The microorganisms synthesize and secrete a protective matrix that attaches the biofilm firmly to a living or non-living surface. The biofilm contributes to underlying wound infection, chronic inflammation, and delay in healing, and it is present in 80% to 90% of chronic wounds and 6% of acute wounds.

Epibole: Rolled or curled-under closed wound edges. These rolled edges are thickened epidermis that may be callused, dry, scaly, and/or hyperkeratotic. When epibole is present in a wound, it signals to the body that the wound has healed, even though the wound remains open. Epibole must be resolved to allow the wound to close … read more

A Global Consensus on Diabetic Wound Management

Global Consensus on Diabetic Wound Management: Practical, Evidence-Informed Guidance

Summary: A consensus statement published in Advances in Wound Care (2025) synthesizes expert guidance on evidence-based bedside management of diabetic wounds. It encompasses a comprehensive care framework—from addressing inflammation and glycemic control to infection containment, vascular evaluation, offloading, surgical options, pain relief strategies, dressing selection, and emerging therapies.

Expert Contributors:
Henry C. Hsia; Elof Eriksson; Geoffrey C. Gurtner; Aristidis Veves; Osama Hamdy; David J. Margolis; David G. Armstrong; Lawrence A. Lavery; Elisabeth A. Grice; Greg Schultz; Michael S. Conte; Robert S. Kirsner; Christopher E. Attinger; John S. Steinberg; Karen K. Evans; Dot Weir; Paul J. Kim; Dennis P. Orgill; Kenneth W. Liechty; J. Peter Rubin.

Take-Home Points:

  • Chronic diabetic wounds often stem from persistent, low-grade inflammation; goal-directed care must redirect the wound toward healing.
  • Optimized diabetic wound care is inherently multidisciplinary—requiring tight glycemic management, infection and biofilm control, vascular assessment (e.g., WIfI), timely revascularization, effective offloading, and when needed, surgical intervention.
  • Given rising antibiotic resistance, routine debridement and biofilm-focused topical practices are essential; systemic antibiotics should be reserved for invasive infections.
  • Limb preservation should prioritize restoring ambulation and quality of life—beyond the goal of saving tissue at any cost.

Read the full consensus statement on DiabeticFootOnline

Keywords:
diabetic wound management,
Advances in Wound Care,
WIfI system,
chronic inflammation,
biofilm management,
multidisciplinary care,
limb salvage

Glutaraldehyde-Induced Porcine Model Mimics Human Chronic Wounds



Glutaraldehyde-Induced Porcine Model Mimics Human Chronic Wounds

Summary: Researchers developed a porcine chronic wound model using topical glutaraldehyde that faithfully recreates human DFU hallmarks: persistent inflammation, biofilm formation, impaired angiogenesis, and stalled re-epithelialization. Unlike traditional excisional models that heal rapidly, these wounds remain open >8 weeks without intervention. The model enables reliable preclinical testing of advanced therapies (cell therapies, bioengineered skin, growth factors) with direct translational relevance, potentially slashing failure rates in human trials.

Key Highlights:

  • Model: Topical glutaraldehyde on full-thickness porcine wounds.
  • Features: Biofilm, excess inflammation, impaired healing >8 weeks.
  • Advantage: Closest mimic of human DFU to date.
  • Impact: Faster, more predictive testing of DFU therapies.
  • Authors: Not specified in alert (Trends in Biotechnology).

Read full article

Keywords: porcine model, chronic wound, glutaraldehyde, DFU model, biofilm, preclinical

Optimizing the Wound Bed for Better Outcomes



Healing Starts Here: Optimizing the Wound Bed for Better Outcomes

Summary: This WoundSource webinar focuses on wound bed preparation as foundational for healing chronic wounds (DFUs, VLUs, PIs). Key topics: TIME framework (Tissue management, Infection/Inflammation, Moisture balance, Edge advancement); debridement methods (autolytic, enzymatic, sharp); exudate control (absorptives, NPWT); biofilm disruption (antiseptics, surfactants). Speakers discuss evidence-based products and techniques to convert stalled wounds to healing trajectory, with case examples showing 30-50% faster closure via optimized preparation.

Key Highlights:

  • TIME Principles: Core for chronic wound conversion.
  • Debridement: Sharp preferred for speed; enzymatic for maintenance.
  • Infection: Antiseptics over antibiotics for biofilm.
  • Moisture: Balance to avoid maceration/dryness.
  • Outcomes: Optimized prep ↑ healing 30-50%.

Register/watch webinar

Keywords: wound bed preparation, TIME, debridement, biofilm, chronic wounds

Suprasorb Liquacel Pro / Suprasorb Liquacel Ag



Suprasorb Liquacel Pro / Suprasorb Liquacel Ag

Summary: This product-focused article evaluates the Suprasorb Liquacel family of superabsorbent dressings for managing moderate-to-high exudate in chronic/hard-to-heal wounds (VLUs, DFUs, pressure injuries, surgical sites). Liquacel Pro: non-adherent wound contact layer, superabsorbent polymer core (vertical absorption locks exudate/bacteria/endotoxins), breathable backing prevents maceration, supports autolytic debridement. Liquacel Ag: adds ionic silver for sustained antimicrobial action (effective against bacteria/biofilm in infected/colonized wounds). Benefits: High fluid handling (locks away from peri-wound), reduces dressing changes (up to 7 days), minimizes pain/trauma on removal, promotes moist healing environment, cost-effective (fewer visits). Clinical indications: Exudate management in moderate-high levels, infection control (Ag variant), biofilm disruption support. Practical use: Secondary dressing over primary (e.g., with debridement), suitable for compression. Emphasizes patient comfort, clinician efficiency, and outcomes in real-world chronic wound care.

Key Highlights:

  • Absorption: Vertical locking prevents lateral spread/maceration.
  • Antimicrobial: Ag variant for sustained release against resistant organisms.
  • Benefits: Fewer changes, pain reduction, autolytic support.
  • Relevance: Addresses exudate/biofilm challenges in hard-to-heal wounds; complements advanced therapies like synthetics.

Read article

Keywords: Suprasorb Liquacel, superabsorbent dressing, exudate management, ionic silver

Monofilament Fibre Debridement Pad for Patients with Unhealed Wounds After Six Months

An Audit to Assess the Impact of Prescribing a Monofilament Fibre Debridement Pad for Patients with Unhealed Wounds After Six Months

Summary: Published May 2, 2021 in the Journal of Wound Care (Vol. 30, No. 5, pp. 381–388; DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2021.30.5.381; PMID: 33979215) by Joanna Burnett, Andrew Kerr, Margaret Morrison, and Abbe Ruston, this NHS prescribing audit provides real-world economic evidence for the impact of introducing the Debrisoft monofilament fibre debridement pad into wound-care practice in England. Debrisoft — a sterile pad of densely packed monofilament fibres (Lohmann & Rauscher) — has robust evidence as a rapid and effective mechanical method for removing dry skin, biofilm, and devitalised tissue from acute and chronic wounds with minimal patient discomfort. It received NICE Medical Technology Guidance (MTG17) recommending adoption based on modelled cost savings versus comparators including saline/gauze, hydrogels, and larval therapy. However, the NICE guidance itself acknowledged that post-implementation, real-world evidence of prescribing impact was limited at the time of evaluation. This audit addresses that gap. Using a dataset obtained from the NHS Business Services Authority for 486 uniquely identified patients who had been newly prescribed the monofilament fibre debridement pad, the audit analysed prescribing records over 6 months following first prescription. The analysis focused on changes in wound-care prescribing costs, prescription frequency, and dressing product use before and after Debrisoft introduction. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in overall wound-care prescribing costs associated with Debrisoft introduction, supporting the NICE cost-saving model in a real-world NHS community setting. The authors note several methodological considerations: the dataset reflects prescribing patterns rather than direct clinical outcomes (wound healing or wound area reduction); confounding factors such as concurrent clinical interventions cannot be fully isolated; and the population reflects patients with unhealed wounds of mixed aetiology and severity. Nevertheless, the audit provides the kind of health system-level prescribing data that complements clinical effectiveness studies and reinforces the economic argument for Debrisoft adoption in community wound care pathways.

Key Highlights:

  • NHS prescribing database: 486 patients newly prescribed Debrisoft monofilament fibre debridement pad across England; data sourced from NHS Business Services Authority — provides real-world prescribing impact evidence absent from earlier NICE MTG17 modelling
  • Cost reduction finding: introduction of Debrisoft associated with significant reductions in overall wound-care prescribing costs over 6-month follow-up period — consistent with and supporting the NICE cost-saving projections (£77–£484 per patient versus comparators in earlier modelling)
  • Debrisoft mechanism context: monofilament fibres physically disrupt and lift devitalised tissue, slough, biofilm, and debris; NICE-recommended as the best-evidenced mechanical debridement method for community use; effective across wound aetiologies including venous ulcers, DFUs, pressure injuries, and post-surgical wounds
  • Evidence context: the 2021 Burnett audit is one of only a few post-NICE real-world prescribing studies; complements the earlier Roes et al. 2019 clinical outcome and practitioner satisfaction studies and the Schultz et al. 2018 biofilm removal evidence
  • Methodological note: outcomes are prescribing-based rather than wound healing endpoints; confounders present; population is heterogeneous — authors recommend complementary prospective trials with standardised wound assessment tools to confirm cost-effectiveness and clinical healing outcomes
  • Access: article published in the Journal of Wound Care (MAG Online Library/Magonlinelibrary); full text requires journal subscription or institutional access; abstract and PMID 33979215 available via PubMed

Read full article

Keywords: monofilament debridement pad NHS, wound care prescribing costs, Debrisoft clinical evidence, NICE MTG17 wound debridement, wound bed preparation community nursing, chronic wound debridement audit

Joanna Burnett, Andrew Kerr, Margaret Morrison, Abbe Ruston

Antimicrobial Hydrogel for Diabetic Wound Treatment



Antimicrobial Hydrogel for Diabetic Wound Treatment

Summary: This review summarizes recent advances in antimicrobial hydrogels designed for diabetic wound treatment. Hydrogels maintain a moist healing environment, offer controlled release of antimicrobials (silver, antibiotics, natural agents), and provide mechanical support while reducing bioburden and biofilm formation. Various formulations (chitosan, alginate, PEG, hyaluronic acid-based) demonstrate antibacterial activity against common DFU pathogens, modulation of inflammation, and promotion of angiogenesis/collagen deposition. Preclinical and early clinical data show accelerated wound closure, reduced infection rates, and improved healing in diabetic models. Highlights advantages over traditional dressings: better conformability, sustained action, and multifunctionality. Discusses challenges (scalability, regulatory approval) and future directions for smart/smart-responsive antimicrobial hydrogels in chronic diabetic foot ulcer management.

Key Highlights:

  • Moist environment + controlled antimicrobial release
  • Effective against DFU pathogens and biofilm
  • Promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair
  • Relevance: Multifunctional platform for hard-to-heal diabetic wounds

Read full review

Keywords: antimicrobial hydrogel, diabetic wound treatment, biofilm control, DFU therapy

Next Science to Exhibit Surgical Product Portfolio at AAOS 2021

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Next Science Limited (ASX:NXS), an innovative medical technology company, announced that it will exhibit at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting and conference in San Diego, California, from Aug. 31 – Sept. 3. Next Science, whose mission is to heal patients and save lives by addressing the impact of biofilms on human health, will exhibit at Booth No. 5035.

Next Science will showcase its portfolio of ground-breaking products, including:

  • XPERIENCE™ No Rinse Antimicrobial Solution, a non-toxic surgical solution that is designed to help prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) by rinsing away debris and microorganisms; and
  • SURGX®, a topical gel that is applied to a closed surgical incision to help prevent superficial SSIs.

Next Science also will host a presentation that addresses the impact of biofilms on SSIs, discusses risk mitigation strategies and shares clinical results from high-risk patients. The session, Biofilm and Surgical Site Infections, takes place on Sept. 1 from 12:40 – 1:25 p.m. in Meeting Room 1 and will be led by four prominent orthopaedic surgeons:

  • Dr. Robert Harris, Hughston Clinic
  • Dr. Jon E. Minter, Northside Hospital
  • Dr. Randall Otto, SSM Health
  • Dr. Ravi K. Bashyal, NorthShore University Hospital

read more

Chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol nanoscale liquid film-forming system

     facilitates MRSA-infected wound healing by enhancing antibacterial and antibiofilm properties

 

Sha Yang,* Yun Yang,* Sixin Cui, Ziqi Feng, Yuzhi Du, Zhen Song, Yanan Tong, Liuyang Yang, Zelin Wang, Hao Zeng, Quanming Zou, Hongwu Sun

 

National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products & Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China

 

*These authors contributed equally to this work

 

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most predominant and fatal pathogens at wound infection sites. MRSA is difficult to treat because of its antibiotic resistance and ability to form biofilms at the wound site.

 

Methods: In this study, a novel nanoscale liquid film-forming system (LFFS) loaded with benzalkonium bromide was produced based on polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan.

 

Results: This LFFS showed a faster and more potent effect against MRSA252 than benzalkonium bromide aqueous solution both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the LFFS had a stronger ability to destroy biofilms (5 mg/mL) and inhibit their formation (1.33 µg/mL). The LFFS inflicted obvious damage to the structure and integrity of MRSA cell membranes and caused increases in the release of alkaline phosphate and lactate dehydrogenase in the relative electrical conductivity and in K+ and Mg2+ concentrations due to changes in the MRSA cell membrane permeability.

 

Conclusion: The novel LFFS is promising as an effective system for disinfectant delivery and for application in the treatment of MRSA wound infections.

Download Article (pdf)

TELA Bio Announces U.S. Commercial Launch of SiteGuard™ No Rinse Antimicrobial Solution

Company expands product portfolio with focus on addressing surgical site infections in plastic reconstructive surgery

 

MALVERN, Pa., March 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TELA Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: TELA), a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on providing innovative soft-tissue reconstruction solutions that optimize clinical outcomes by prioritizing the preservation and restoration of the patient’s own anatomy, today announced the commercial launch of its SiteGuard No Rinse Antimicrobial Solution for use in plastic reconstructive surgery.
 
SiteGuard utilizes Next Science’s proprietary XBIO® Technology that supports surgical site and post-operative infection control by addressing the biofilms that make bacteria more resistant to traditional antimicrobial agents, disinfectants, and host immune defenses. XBIO Technology deconstructs biofilm, destroys the bacteria enveloped in the solution, and defends against bacterial recolonization. There is no known bacterial resistance to XBIO Technology, and the no-rinse delivery allows the solution to provide over five hours of ongoing protection against bacterial biofilms with exceptional rates of pathogen removal.
 
“SiteGuard is a complementary technology that we believe enhances our mission to deliver a portfolio of next-generation soft-tissue solutions that are both clinically effective and economically impactful,” said Antony Koblish, President and CEO of TELA Bio. “Early test market experience with SiteGuard has been encouraging, and we look forward to broadening awareness and usage of the technology nationwide.” … read more

Non-Cytotoxic Wound Cleansers: What Should I Use?

Why Do Chronic Wounds Contain Biofilm?
The process of wound healing ideally progresses from inflammation to epithelialization and, finally, remodeling. If at any point bacterial (or fungal) colonization becomes prominent, the process of wound healing is disrupted. The creation of biofilm is a microbial defense mechanism that stalls the trajectory of healthy wound healing and can contribute to the development of a chronic wound. It is estimated that 90% of chronic wounds and 6% of acute wounds contain biofilms generated by microbes.1,2 Epidemiologically, chronic wounds impact 2% of the entire US population.2 Because of this large impact, knowledge of proper wound healing and use of clinical tools to assist the wound healing process are essential … read more

Mechanisms of microbial infection and wound healing in diabetic foot ulcer

Mechanisms of microbial infection and wound healing in diabetic foot ulcer: pathogenicity in the inflammatory-proliferative phase, chronicity, and treatment strategies

Summary: This narrative review examines how microbial infection disrupts the healing phases of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), particularly from inflammation to proliferation, and explores treatment strategies. The authors integrate microbial pathogenesis (e.g. virulence, biofilms, polymicrobial synergy) with wound biology to highlight how infection drives chronicity and delay. They also suggest multidimensional therapeutic approaches combining systemic and localized strategies.

Key Highlights:

  • Pathogenesis of DFU/DFI: Infections impair healing by promoting persistent inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, impaired angiogenesis, and immune dysregulation.
  • Biofilms & virulence: Biofilm formation and microbial virulence factors shield pathogens, resist antibiotics, and perpetuate inflammatory stimuli.
  • Polymicrobial dynamics: Gram-positive, gram-negative, anaerobes, and fungi interact within wound microbiomes, often synergistically worsening outcomes.
  • Therapeutic strategy framework: The authors advocate a combined approach—glycemic control, antimicrobial therapy tailored to pathogens, debridement, offloading, vascular support, and intelligent dressings.
  • Smart dressing evolution: Future wound dressings should integrate responsive systems (pH, ROS), controlled drug release, and functional enhancements like oxygen delivery or antimicrobial action.

Read the full article on Frontiers in Endocrinology

Keywords:
Qi Wang,
Chuyu Liu,
Jing An,
Jing Liu,
Yongpeng Wang,
Yulan Cai,
diabetic foot ulcer,
infection mechanisms,
chronic wounds,
smart dressings

Smart Hybrid Nanomaterials for Chronic Infections



Smart Hybrid Nanomaterials for Chronic Infections: Microbiome-Responsive and Sustainable Therapeutic Strategies

Summary:** This review explores smart hybrid nanomaterials for treating chronic infections in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), leveraging microbiome-specific triggers like pH, redox, or enzymes for on-demand drug release. DFUs, affecting 15-25% of diabetics, often involve biofilms and antibiotic resistance, leading to amputations. Nanomaterials—liposomes, dendrimers, metal-organic frameworks—enhance penetration, target bacteria, and minimize side effects, with examples like pH-sensitive liposomes releasing vancomycin in acidic infected sites. Sustainable aspects include biodegradable polymers and green synthesis, promising cost-effective, localized therapies to overcome systemic antibiotic limitations in DFU management.

Key Highlights:

  • DFU Pathogenesis: Neuropathy, ischemia, and hyperglycemia foster biofilms; 50% become infected, with 20% requiring amputation.
  • Nanomaterial Types: Liposomes for encapsulation, dendrimers for branching delivery, MOFs for high loading; responsive to bacterial metabolites.
  • Mechanisms: pH/redox-responsive release in infected microenvironments; photothermal therapy with nanoparticles kills bacteria via heat.
  • Sustainability: Biodegradable carriers reduce environmental impact; green synthesis using plant extracts for eco-friendly production.
  • Challenges/Future: Clinical translation needed; combination with phage or CRISPR for multi-modal DFU therapy.

Read full article

Keywords: nanomaterials, diabetic foot ulcers, microbiome-responsive, biofilm therapy, sustainable nanotech

Dialkylcarbamoyl Chloride-coated wound dressing: An Evidence Review and Position Document



Dialkylcarbamoyl Chloride-coated wound dressing: An Evidence Review and Position Document

Summary: Narrative review/position document by international experts advocates DACC-coated dressings for antimicrobial stewardship in wound infection. Mechanism: Hydrophobic binding removes microbes/endotoxins without release, reducing resistance/inflammation vs. silver. Evidence: In vitro rapid binding (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, biofilms); clinical series/trials show reduced load, improved healing in DFUs/VLUs/burns/SSIs (post-cesarean/vascular), neonatal/pediatric; compatible with NPWT, odor control. Position: Non-antibiotic innovation for prevention/treatment/management in acute/chronic/contaminated wounds; supports AMS amid AMR threats. Recommendations: Use in colonized/infected (polymicrobial/resistant), biofilms; combine with debridement/hydrogels; extended wear. Implications: Reduces complications/costs in hard-to-heal wounds.

Read document

Keywords: DACC-coated, antimicrobial dressing, biofilm management, AMS wound

Designing Multifunctional Antibacterial Hydrogels



Designing Multifunctional Antibacterial Hydrogels: A Tri-Pillar Approach Based on Bacteriophages, Nanoparticles, and Natural Polymers

Summary: This 2026 review presents a tri-pillar strategy for designing advanced antibacterial hydrogels by integrating bacteriophages, nanoparticles, and natural polymers. The approach aims to achieve synergistic effects: phages provide targeted bacterial killing, nanoparticles enhance antimicrobial activity and biofilm penetration, and natural polymers offer biocompatibility, moisture retention, and controlled release. Such multifunctional hydrogels address key challenges in chronic wound management, including persistent infection, biofilm formation, and impaired healing. The review discusses formulation strategies, mechanisms of action, and translational potential for infected diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries, and other hard-to-heal wounds, highlighting a promising path toward more effective, resistance-mitigating wound dressings.

Key Highlights:

  • Tri-pillar design: bacteriophages + nanoparticles + natural polymers
  • Synergistic antibacterial, antibiofilm, and pro-healing effects
  • Potential applications in chronic and infected wounds including DFU
  • Focus on biocompatibility and controlled release for clinical translation

Read full article (open access)

Keywords: antibacterial hydrogels, phage nanoparticle hydrogel, chronic wound dressings

Compassionate Debridement at your Fingertips®

Soft K-Cot® brush-curette is designed to be both minimally invasive and clinically effective for wound hygiene, debridement, and optional tissue sampling. The nitrile finger cot tip is coated with Kylon®, a patented medical fabric which dislodges and collects wound debris efficiently and effectively.

 

Histologics LLC’s primary objective is to advance a compassionate approach to debridement and wound sampling with devices using Kylon®, a medical fabric enabling frictional tissue cleaning, and debridement with optional specimen capture.

 

Benefits:

  • Fabric disk on finger cot tip is designed for flat or curved wounds that are visible on the body surface
  • Versatile use, Ergonomic, and minimally invasive design facilitates user tactile control for targeting and guiding the brushing, sweeping and rotational movements – modulating tactile pressure and method allows for light brushing away of debris versus pressure twisting motion curettage of the wound surface.
  • Kylon® medical fabric hooks gently, yet substantially excavates the wound surface, dislodging debris and necrotic tissue, which can be easily wiped off the wound surface with gauze
  • Designed for compassionate patient experience and compliance
  • Promotes the efficiency of a debriding procedure
  • Abundant tissue samples can be collected, stored and transported for laboratory analysis

Indications:
The Soft K-Cot® is indicated for patients with small to moderate sized (no larger than 6cmx6cm), non-fibrotic surfaces of wounds requiring cleansing or debridement in order to remove non-viable tissue and debris. Debridement may stimulate blood flow to encourage tissue regrowth. It is also indicated for scraping or debriding and then transporting tissue requiring histological analyses for further laboratory evaluation regarding infection or other pathology.

 

Contraindications:
Soft K-Cot® is contraindicated for use with patients with known bleeding disorders or those on anticoagulant therapy, patients with an acute wound infection or condition that is not amenable to debridement, patients with a known allergy to nylon or acrylic plastic, or patients who are pregnant or suspected to be pregnant when a wound biopsy would not be indicated.

 

Warnings and Precautions:
Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician or other licensed practitioner.

 

Storage Requirements:
Consult manufacturer on special storage requirements outside of normal room temperatures.

 

How Supplied/Sizing:
Box of 25 minimum order

 

Recommended Use:

  • Burns
  • Chronic Wounds
  • Diabetic Foot
  • Graft Bed Preparation
  • Non/Minimally Exudating Wounds
  • Palliative Wounds
  • Pressure Ulcers
  • Sloughy Wounds
  • Surgical Wounds
  • Venous Ulcers

 

Mode of Use/Application:
See manufacturer’s website for detailed instructions for use (IFU):
Instructions for use

 

Clinically Tested:
Latex-friendly

 

Product features:

  • Single Use
  • Disposable
  • Instrument
  • Sterile
  • Variety of sizes

 

Other features:

  • Educational Material Available
  • Free Samples/Trials Available
  • Published Clinical Study Available

 

Free Sample Kit Available on Request to:
support@histologicswc.com

 

Histologics LLC, 4095 E. LaPalma Ave, St N, Anaheim, CA 92807, (888) 235-2275
www.histologicswc.com
support@histologicswc.com

A novel macrophage-regulating new drug has shown promise in treating diabetic foot ulcers according to the latest issue of article ….

Accumulating scientific evidence has revealed that targeting macrophage phenotypes might be a potentially effective therapy in DFUs because hyperglycemia increases the ratio of proinflammatory M1 to pro-regenerative M2 macrophages. This study is the first international Phase 3 randomized clinical trial of an investigation drug able to regulate M1/M2 macrophage activities in the patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The investigational compound has been given a research code: ON101 (trade name: Fespixon) has demonstrated the clinical superiority to the standard care (an absorbent dressing). The primary endpoint, complete healing, was found in 60.7% of the ON101 group and 35.1% of the comparison group during the treatment period (p=0.0001). Time to complete healing, the secondary endpoint, was faster in the ON101 group (p=0.002). The researchers have reported that “Topical application of ON101 with gauze … read more

AmpliPhi Biosciences Announces Presentation of Positive Clinical

Data From its Expanded Access Program for Serious S. aureus Infections at IDWeek 2018 Conference

AmpliPhi Biosciences Corporation (NYSE American:APHB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on precisely targeted bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections, today announced the presentation of clinical case series data from the company’s ongoing expanded access program for its investigational bacteriophage therapeutic, AB-SA01 targeting Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), at the IDWeek 2018 conference in San Francisco … Prof. Jonathan Iredell, Senior Staff Infectious Diseases Physician at the Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Director of Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at the Westmead Institute of Medical Research and Professor of Medicine and Microbiology at the University of Sydney, gave a presentation “Adjunctive bacteriophage therapy for severe Staphylococcal sepsis,” including data on 13 patients suffering from severe S. aureus infections, who were treated with AB-SA01 as an adjunct to antibiotics at the Westmead Hospital in 2017-2018. The potential treatment of S. aureus bacteremia with AB-SA01 was also the subject of the Company’s recent Type B meeting with the FDA. The treatment was conducted under emergency protocols per the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) Special Access Scheme (SAS) … read more

SomaGenics Awarded Multi-Year Funding for Hepatitis Delta Virus Therapeutic Program

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., July 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — SomaGenics, Inc. announces the award of a three-year, $2.9 million NIH grant in support of its Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) therapeutic program under Principal Investigator and SomaGenics CEO Brian H. Johnston, Ph.D. This Phase II grant, from the NIH’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, continues the development of SomaGenics’ novel RNA interference (RNAi)-based approach under a Phase I SBIR grant and will fund late-stage preclinical studies and preparations for clinical trials.

 

HDV infection, which requires concurrent or prior infection with the hepatitis B virus, results in the most severe form of viral hepatitis, and no HDV-specific therapy exists. Chronic HDV has a 20% mortality rate and its incidence is rising globally. The establishment of U.S.–based Hepatitis Delta Connect (hepconnect.org), a public outreach program, highlights recent efforts to increase patient and physician awareness about the pressing need for HDV screening and treatment.

 

SomaGenics’ HDV therapeutic is a novel treatment modality simultaneously targeting the virus at multiple stages of its life cycle using the Company’s proprietary synthetic short hairpin RNA (sshRNA®) technology. “Current clinical treatments suffer from multiple problems including limited efficacy, high relapse rate and toxicity,” according to Anne Dallas, Ph.D., Principal Scientist.

 

To date, the Company has demonstrated efficacy of its sshRNA® HDV therapeutic in cell culture models and will use the new NIH funding to support efficacy studies in animal models as well as to optimize the Company’s novel delivery platform. “Our combination, multi-target approach reduces the likelihood of treatment resistance and targets non-host entities, lowering the chance of toxicity. We are excited that SomaGenics’ therapeutic may have the potential to cure HDV patients,” explains Dr. Dallas.

 

Somagenics’ sshRNAs® are highly potent RNAi triggers, with IC50’s in the low picomolar range. sshRNAs® have distinct advantages over the more familiar siRNAs, including the fact that they consist of single chemical entities, simplifying their production and purification, and their lack of off-target effects from “passenger” strand retention. sshRNAs® are suitable for use in many indications in addition to HDV, with therapeutics currently in development for chronic wound healing including diabetic foot ulcers.

SomaGenics, Inc. is a privately held company with offices and laboratories located in Santa Cruz, California. The Company specializes in developing novel RNA-centered approaches to address unmet life science research and medical needs. Core competencies include RNA molecules as therapeutic agents, drug targets and biomarkers as well as the development of innovative kits for RNA analysis.

 

For information on SomaGenics’ HDV program or the sshRNA® platform, please contact Anne Scholz, VP Business Development, 831-426-7700 x20, 199087@email4pr.com

 

SOURCE SomaGenics, Inc.

Press Release from PRNewswire

A Review: Matrix Metallopeptidase-9 Nanoparticles Targeted for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetes foot ulcers are a leading cause of death in diabetic individuals. There are very few medicines and treatments that have received regulatory clearance for this indication, and numerous compounds from various pharmacological classes are now in various stages of clinical studies for diabetic foot ulcers treatment. Multiple risk factors contribute to diabetic foot ulcers, including neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, infection, gender, cigarette smoking, and age. The present difficulties in diabetic foot ulcers treatment are related to bacterial resistance to currently utilized antibiotics. Inhibition of the quorum sensing (QS) system and targeting matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) are promising. This study focuses on the difficulties of existing treatment, current treatment technique, and novel pharmacological targets for diabetic foot ulcer. The electronic data base search diabetic for literature on foot ulcers treatment was carried out using Science Direct, PubMed, Google-Scholar, Springer Link, Scopus, and Wiley up to 2021. Becaplermin, a medication that targets MMP-9, glyceryl trinitrate, which inhibits the bacterial quorum sensing system, probiotic therapy, and nano technological solutions are just a few of the novel pharmaceuticals being developed for diabetic foot ulcers … read more

Compassionate and Versatile Brush-Biopsy for Histologic Wound Sampling

Soft K-Biopsy® – SFT-1000

 

SoftBiopsy® is a sterile single-use brush-curette is designed to be both minimally invasive and clinically effective for tissue sampling. The plastic applicator tip is coated with Kylon®, a patented medical fabric which dislodges and collects wound base tissue post-debridement, efficiently and effectively.

 

The SoftBiopsy® is designed with a trumpet shaped brush tip to easily press into the wound base surface and remove and trap a biopsy sample for anatomic pathology as curettings (tangential biopsy sample). When used post-debridement, it is optimal for molecular (PCR) or microbiological culture.

 

Organism ID Sampling Method

Once the biopsy is obtained, tissue samples for analysis are easily collected in the KYLON® hook tapered tip head and snapped off and placed into the vial to preserve tissue for organism (culture, PCR) or anatomic pathology lab analysis.

 

Request that your pathology lab that performs wound related tests contact us to become a Kylon® device “Center of Excellence”.

 

Brochure

 

Benefits:

  • Fabric pad on tapered applicator tip is designed for visible surface wounds that are visible on the body surface
  • Versatile use, Ergonomic, and minimally invasive design facilitates user tactile control for targeting and guiding the brushing, sweeping and rotational movements – modulating tactile pressure and method allows for tissue. removal and trapping using a pressure-twisting motion of the wound surface
  • Kylon® medical fabric hooks gently, yet substantially obtain abundant tissue samples that are trapped in the hook array, snapped free from the handle, and transported for laboratory analysis
  • Designed for compassionate patient experience and compliance

Clinical Scenarios: (Refer to Instructions for Use)

The SoftBiopsy® is indicated for tangential biopsy of wounds on visual surfaces in order to obtain a sterile biopsy sample. Once the tissue filled tip is detached and placed in a vial, it is transported for histological analyses and further laboratory evaluation regarding infection or other pathology

 

Contraindications: 

SoftBiopsy® is contraindicated for use with patients with known bleeding disorders or those on anticoagulant therapy, patients with an acute wound infection or condition that is not amenable to biopsy, patients with a known allergy to nylon or acrylic plastic, or patients who are pregnant or suspected to be pregnant when a wound biopsy would not be indicated

 

Warnings and Precautions: 

Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician or other licensed practitioner.

 

Storage Requirements: 

Consult manufacturer on special storage requirements outside of normal room temperatures.

 

How Supplied/Sizing: 

Box of 25 minimum order

 

Recommended Use: 

 

  • Burns
  • Chronic Wounds
  • Diabetic Foot
  • Graft Bed Preparation
  • Non/Minimally Exudating Wounds
  • Palliative Wounds
  • Pressure Ulcers
  • Non-Eschar/Solid/Fibrotic Wounds
  • Sloughy Wounds
  • Surgical Wounds
  • Venous Ulcers

Mode of Use/Application:

See manufacturer’s website for detailed instructions for use (IFU)

 

Clinically Tested: 

Latex-friendly

 

Product features: 

  • Single Use
  • Disposable
  • Instrument
  • Sterile

 

Other features: 

  • Educational Material Available
  • Free Samples/Trials Available
  • Published Clinical Study Available

 

Manufacturer: Histologics LLC – www.histologicswc.com

Histologics LLC’s primary objective is to advance a compassionate approach to debridement and wound biopsy sampling with devices using Kylon®, a medical fabric enabling biopsy with tissue capture, or frictional tissue cleaning, and debridement.

Website: 

www.histologicswc.com

Email: 

support@histologicswc.com

 

Phone: 

(888) 235-2275

Toll-free: 

(888) 235-2275

Fax: 

(888) 738-9757

The Role of Early Revascularization and Biomarkers in the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

A Single Center Experience

Diabetic neuropathy and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) are the main etiological factors in foot ulceration. Herein, we report our experience of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) management, with an analysis of the relationship between the rate of lower extremity amputation, in persons with infected DFU, after revascularization procedures performed to prevent major amputation. This study highlights the role of different biomarkers, showing their usefulness and potentiality in diabetic foot ulcer management, especially for the early diagnosis and therapy effectiveness monitoring. A retrospective analysis, from September 2016 to January 2021, of diabetic patients presenting diabetic foot with DFU, was performed. All patients were treated with at least one vascular procedure (endovascular, open, hybrid procedures) targeting PAD lesions … read more

Pherecydes Pharma Organizes a Scientific Symposium During the 23rd National Days of Infectiology

Pherecydes Pharma (FR0011651694 – ALPHE, PEA-PME eligible), a biotech company specializing in precision phage therapy to treat resistant and/or complicated bacterial infections, today announces it will participate to the scientific symposium “Phage therapy: French experience”, which will be held on June 15, 2022 from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm in the amphitheater A of the Palais des Congrès in Bordeaux, as part of the 23rd National Days of Infectiology (NDI).

 

The symposium, moderated by Dr. F.-A. Dauchy from the Bordeaux University Hospital, will host the following presentations:

 

Phagotherapy and IOA. Compassionate cases and clinical studies including PhagoDAIR: Pr. T. Ferry (Lyon)
Phage therapy and Infections of the Diabetic Foot Ulcer. State of knowledge. PhagoPied: Pr. A. Sotto (Nîmes)
Phage therapy and pulmonary infections. Preclinical results. Planned clinical studies: Dr. A. Bleibtreu (Paris)
Pascal Birman, Medical Director of Pherecydes Pharma, comments: “Antibiotic resistance is a major public health issue and is a central theme at this 23rd edition of the NDI. This symposium is an opportunity to highlight the interest of phage therapy through several clinical studies that will be conducted in different indications and through compassionate treatments already performed with our phages. Pherecydes Pharma and its partners are doing their utmost to ensure that these studies provide useful answers to improve the treatment of patients suffering from antibiotic resistant infections.”

 

About Pherecydes Pharma

Founded in 2006, Pherecydes Pharma is a biotechnology company that develops treatments against resistant bacterial infections, responsible for many serious infections. The Company has developed an innovative approach, precision phage therapy, based on the use of phages, natural bacteria-killing viruses. Pherecydes Pharma is developing a portfolio of phages targeting 3 of the most resistant and dangerous bacteria, which alone account for more than two thirds of hospital-acquired resistant infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The concept of precision phage therapy has been successfully applied in several dozen patients in the context of compassionate use, under the supervision of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM). Headquartered in Nantes, Pherecydes Pharma has a team of around twenty experts from the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology sector and academic research.

 

For more information, www.pherecydes-pharma.com

 

Contacts
Pherecydes Pharma
Thibaut du Fayet
Deputy CEO
investors@pherecydes-pharma.com

 

NewCap
Dusan Oresansky
Investor Relations
pherecydes@newcap.eu
T.: +33 1 44 71 94 92

 

NewCap
Arthur Rouillé
Media Relations
pherecydes@newcap.eu
T.: +33 1 44 71 00 15

 

This article was originally published here

Johns Hopkins to cut over 2,000 jobs

Johns Hopkins University has announced plans to eliminate over 2,200 jobs following the Trump administration’s decision to cut $800 million in grants previously allocated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This reduction represents the largest layoff in the university’s history, affecting 247 positions within the United States and 1,975 positions across 44 countries.

The job cuts will impact several key divisions of the university, including the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Medicine, and the affiliated nonprofit organization Jhpiego, which focuses on international health initiatives. The university expressed deep concern over the funding termination, stating that it forces them to wind down critical work both domestically and internationally.

This development is part of a broader trend affecting higher education institutions across the United States. Several universities, including Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California, San Diego, have implemented hiring freezes and other cost-saving measures in response to federal funding uncertainties. These financial strains threaten the academic and research integrity of these institutions and pose risks to job growth in higher education.

The reduction in USAID funding is expected to have significant implications for global health initiatives, particularly those targeting infectious diseases and women’s health in low-income countries. Johns Hopkins University and other research institutions anticipate further financial challenges and have initiated legal actions against the proposed budget reductions.

As the largest private employer in Maryland and Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University’s decision to cut over 2,000 jobs underscores the real-world impact of federal funding policies on employment and public health research.

More Info on the Individuals Indicted by the DOJ Around the Use of “Skin Substitutes”

DOJ Indicts Multiple Providers for Fraudulent Use of Amniotic Skin Substitutes

On July 1, 2025, Dr. Caroline Fife reported on new Department of Justice indictments involving fraudulent billing of medically unnecessary amniotic cellular tissue products—often marketed as “skin substitutes”—primarily targeting elderly or vulnerable patients in nursing homes and hospice care.

Key Highlights:

  • Scope of Fraud: Seven defendants—including nurse practitioners and a nurse—are accused of billing Medicare for unnecessary amniotic allografts in exchange for kickbacks from distributors, totaling up to $1 billion in claims :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
  • Key Allegations: Providers allegedly performed procedures on end-of-life patients without independent medical decision-making, following directives from untrained sales reps :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
  • Notable Cases: Examples include Gonzalez in Las Vegas—charged with applying unnecessary allografts tied to payoffs—and others (Huntly, Denney, Kontos, Kupetz, Kinds, Palacios, Rios, Rasmussen) engaged in kickback schemes and billing fraud :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
  • Additional Fraud Tied to HBOT: A revealing case involving hyperbaric oxygen therapy fraud by Yvonne Petrie used stolen physician identifiers to submit $1.9 million in false HBOT claims :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

This crackdown signals intensified DOJ scrutiny on opportunistic misuse of expensive wound care products—especially in vulnerable populations and settings lacking physician oversight.

Source: Caroline Fife, M.D., “More Info on the Individuals Indicted by the DOJ Around the Use of ‘Skin Substitutes,’” CarolineFifeMD.com, July 1, 2025.

Keywords: skin substitute fraud, amniotic allograft, DOJ indictments, Medicare kickbacks, hospice care

Read the full article on CarolineFifeMD.com

Associations Between Diabetes Mellitus and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Exploring the Link Between Diabetes and Neurodegenerative Diseases

A growing body of research reveals a strong association between diabetes mellitus (DM)—particularly type 1 and type 2—and major neurodegenerative disorders. This review explores how insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and impaired glucose metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and ALS.

Key Highlights:

  • Widespread Impact: Type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment are the most common chronic conditions in adults over 60. The global burden of both is rising rapidly, with DM prevalence projected to reach 783 million by 2045, and dementia cases exceeding 150 million by 2050.
  • Shared Mechanisms: Suggested mechanisms linking DM and neurodegenerative diseases include impaired insulin signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, glial cell dysregulation, and chronic inflammation—all of which may accelerate neuronal damage and cognitive decline.
  • Alzheimer’s Disease: T2DM patients show up to a 65% increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Insulin-treated individuals face an even greater risk (up to 4.3-fold). Hyperglycemia may exacerbate memory deterioration by damaging pyramidal neurons in key hippocampal areas.
  • Parkinson’s & Huntington’s: Both diseases involve progressive neuronal loss in regions highly sensitive to metabolic dysfunction. For example, dopaminergic neuron degeneration in Parkinson’s is thought to be influenced by insulin resistance and impaired glucose uptake.
  • Vascular Dementia & ALS: Studies show diabetic individuals have elevated risks of vascular dementia, with abnormal insulin levels contributing to cerebrovascular damage. ALS and other rare NDs also share metabolic links with diabetes in emerging research.

Although mechanisms remain under investigation, it is increasingly clear that poor glycemic control and insulin dysfunction not only harm peripheral organs but may also accelerate brain aging and neurodegeneration. Further research could lead to shared treatment pathways and early interventions targeting both metabolic and cognitive health.

Keywords:
diabetes mellitus,
type 1 diabetes,
type 2 diabetes,
Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease,
Huntington’s disease,
ALS,
neurodegenerative disease,
insulin resistance,
cognitive decline

Read the full article on PubMed Central

Intelligent wound dressing controls inflammation

Intelligent Wound Dressing Controls Inflammation

A July 4, 2025 Medical Xpress article profiles pioneering work from ETH Zurich on a novel “intelligent” granular hydrogel dressing designed to modulate inflammation and promote healing in chronic wounds.

Key Highlights:

  • Innovator: Börte Emiroglu, an ETH Zurich Pioneer Fellow, developed a hydrogel composed of microgel particles that can absorb pro-inflammatory molecular signals while releasing regenerative factors.
  • How It Works: Packaged into a sponge-like dressing, the hydrogel uses specific ligands to selectively bind inflammatory cytokines, minimizing harmful immune responses and encouraging tissue repair.
  • Scientific Roots: Inspiration came from biological transport mechanisms in unicellular organisms—the hydrogel’s modular design allows for customization to match patient and wound-specific needs.
  • Startup & Scale-Up: Emiroglu co-founded the spinout Immunosponge with lab colleague Apoorv Singh, aiming for an early-stage commercial prototype following her ETH Pioneer Fellowship.
  • Clinical Potential: Initially targeting chronic skin wounds, the hydrogel technology may also be applicable to internal tissue injuries—such as bone, cartilage, or tendon—with poor healing potential.

This intelligent dressing represents a shift toward active immunomodulation—not just passive coverage—tailored to the wound’s inflammatory state and readiness for regeneration.

Keywords:
Deborah Kyburz,
Börte Emiroglu,
Apoorv Singh,
Immunosponge,
granular hydrogel,
microgel particles,
immunomodulation,
chronic wounds,
tissue regeneration

Read the full article on Medical Xpress

Concurrent Optical and Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Chronic Wounds

Trial Design: Concurrent Optical and Magnetic Stimulation (COMS) Therapy for Chronic Wounds

Summary: This original research article explores the trial design for Concurrent Optical and Magnetic Stimulation (COMS) therapy, a novel intervention aimed at improving outcomes in patients with chronic wounds. The study highlights how the integration of both optical and magnetic stimulation may influence wound healing by targeting biological pathways at the cellular level.

The paper details the structure of the trial, including participant selection, methodology, and anticipated endpoints. COMS therapy is presented as a potentially groundbreaking approach for treating chronic wounds, addressing the unmet need for effective, non-invasive therapies that can accelerate healing and reduce complications.

Researchers emphasize that this dual-modality approach may offer advantages over traditional single-modality treatments, providing a foundation for future clinical translation if successful.

Read the full article on HMP Global Learning Network

Keywords: COMS therapy, chronic wounds, optical stimulation, magnetic stimulation, wound healing, clinical trial

Exploring the Role of GLP-1 Agents in Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Exploring the Role of GLP-1 Agents in Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Narrative and Systematic Review

Summary: A narrative and systematic review published in Wound Repair & Regeneration (Sep–Oct 2025) by Fiona S. Gruzmark, Gabriela E. Beraja, Ivan Jozic, and Hadar A. Lev-Tov explores the emerging potential of systemic GLP-1 receptor agonists (commonly used in diabetes and weight loss) to support healing in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

Key Highlights:

  • DLRUs are a major global health burden—DFU incidence ranges from ~19% to 34%, with a 10% one-year mortality rate after ulcer diagnosis.
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown beneficial effects in related dermatologic conditions (e.g., alopecia, hidradenitis suppurativa), suggesting a broader regenerative or anti-inflammatory role.
  • The review integrates narrative insights with a PRISMA-guided systematic search, noting potential reductions in DFU complications associated with GLP-1 use.
  • This represents a promising therapeutic avenue—targeting multiple pathophysiologic domains (microvascular health, neuropathy, apoptosis, oxidative stress)—but requires clinical trials to confirm efficacy.

Read the full review in Wound Repair & Regeneration

Keywords:
GLP-1 agents,
diabetic foot ulcer,
systematic review,
narrative review,
wound healing
Fiona S. Gruzmark,
Gabriela E. Beraja,
Ivan Jozic,
Hadar A. Lev-Tov

Nanotechnology-Based Topical Insulin Delivery System: Promising Role in Diabetic Wound Healing

Nanotechnology-Based Topical Insulin Delivery System: Promising Role in Diabetic Wound Healing

Summary: A narrative review published in Wound Repair & Regeneration (2025) by **Lalit Singh**, **Arpita Bhakuni**, **Monika**, **Rahul Pratap Singh**, and colleagues explores how nanotechnology-enhanced topical insulin delivery systems can revolutionize healing in diabetic wounds by enabling targeted, sustained insulin release at the wound site.

Key Highlights:

  • Systemic insulin faces challenges like hypoglycemia and poor wound-site targeting, limiting its use in wound care.
  • Nanotechnology-based platforms—such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and hydrogel carriers—improve localized insulin delivery, enhance bioavailability, and promote controlled release at the wound.
  • Topical insulin delivered via nanosystems may boost angiogenesis, stimulate cell proliferation, reduce inflammation, and support the complex repair mechanisms needed in diabetic wound healing.
  • The review argues that personalized topical insulin nanotherapies could transform DFU management, though clinical validation remains pending.

Read the full article in Wound Repair & Regeneration

Keywords:
topical insulin,
nanotechnology,
diabetic wound healing,
drug delivery systems,
Lalit Singh,
Arpita Bhakuni,
Monika,
Rahul Pratap Singh

Balancing Costs, Access, and Innovation in Wound Healing: A Logical Approach?

Balancing Costs, Access, and Innovation in Wound Healing: A Logical Approach? #CAMPs #ActAgainstAmputation

Summary: In a critical commentary on the DF Blog at DiabeticFootOnline, David G. Armstrong reflects on recent CMS reform proposals targeting reimbursement for cellular and acellular products (CAMPs). Citing new research led by Bill Tettelbach (published in the Journal of Wound Care), the piece argues that blunt reimbursement cuts risk increasing inequity, threatening innovation, and harming vulnerable patients.

Key Highlights:

  • In 2023, just 3% of nonfacility providers accounted for nearly 64% of Medicare’s CAMP spending, with average per-patient costs dramatically higher than typical providers.
  • While aiming to limit waste and fraud, flat-rate reimbursement models risk penalizing ethical, resource-limited, or rural providers—limiting patient access to life-saving therapies.
  • Dramatic reductions in CAMP availability could lead to higher downstream costs through more amputations, hospitalizations, and poorer outcomes.
  • Policy proposals include smarter, AI-assisted oversight, targeted intervention on high-use providers, equitable reimbursement tied to clinical complexity, and sustained support for innovation and vulnerable care settings.

Read the full post on DF Blog (DiabeticFootOnline)

Keywords:
CMS reform,
CAMPs,
wound healing innovation,
health equity,
David G. Armstrong,
Bill Tettelbach

Staphylococcus Aureus Delays Wound Healing



UC San Diego Study: Staphylococcus Aureus Delays Wound Healing

Summary: Researchers at UC San Diego have identified how Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of skin infections, delays wound healing via its quorum sensing system—a bacterial communication method that suppresses host immune responses and tissue repair. Published in a leading medical journal, the study demonstrates that targeting this pathway can restore normal healing processes without antibiotics, offering a novel approach to combat antibiotic resistance while preserving beneficial skin microbiota.

Key Highlights:

  • S. aureus quorum sensing coordinates virulence factors that inhibit keratinocyte metabolism and wound closure, even at low bacterial loads.
  • Disrupting the accessory gene regulator (agr) system in mouse and human models accelerates healing to levels seen in uninfected wounds.
  • This method targets resistant strains like MRSA without killing bacteria, reducing risks of resistance and secondary infections.
  • Potential for precision therapies that enhance existing wound care by selectively silencing bacterial signals while supporting skin regeneration.
  • Findings highlight the wound microbiome’s role, where harmless staphylococci may aid healing unlike pathogenic S. aureus.

Read full article

Keywords:
Staphylococcus aureus,
quorum sensing,
antibiotic free wound therapy,
MRSA management,
wound healing innovation

Harnessing Molecular Medicine to Accelerate Wound Healing



Harnessing Molecular Medicine to Accelerate Wound Healing

Full Press Release: TAICEND – advancing the science of wound healing to cut recovery time by more than half.

KAOHSIUNG CITY, Taiwan, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TAICEND will present its five major wound healing product series at the 2025 MEDICA Fair in Germany, including the Postoperative Care Series, Acute & Chronic Wound Series, Pressure Relief Series, Skin Protection & Prevention Series, and the Trauma Series.

With molecular medicine as the foundation of its R&D, TAICEND integrates cellular concepts into the wound healing process, providing in-depth insights into cellular activity at each stage of healing and mapping these mechanisms to product applications. This approach highlights the company’s commitment to delivering a complete and protocol-driven clinical value in wound care.

In the Postoperative Care Series, TAICEND addresses the needs of patients recovering from procedures such as cesarean sections and orthopedic surgeries. The products help keep wounds clean, reduce the risk of infection, stabilize wound sites, alleviate pain, and minimize scar formation.

The Acute & Chronic Wound Care Series targets difficult-to-heal wounds such as pressure ulcers. TAICEND’s standardized wound healing SOP has been clinically shown to accelerate healing speed by more than 50%, making it highly suitable for home healthcare and long-term care facilities.

The Pressure Relief & Prevention Series is specifically designed to address skin injuries caused by medical devices or prolonged immobility. Common scenarios include facial pressure from BiPAP masks, skin damage from drainage tubes or nasogastric tubes, and localized pressure injuries in bedridden patients. This series provides effective solutions to redistribute pressure and minimize friction-related skin damage, offering a reliable preventive care option for patients.

The Skin Protection & Prevention Series will feature a new product for Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD) prevention and care. With a simple two-step protocol, it provides an effective and convenient solution for managing skin health in elderly and bedridden patients.

Within the Emergency & Trauma Series, TAICEND will unveil a range of products designed for emergency and battlefield applications, including emergency bandages, tourniquets, and chest seals. These products are engineered to provide rapid, life-saving interventions in critical injury scenarios, underscoring TAICEND’s dedication to delivering comprehensive wound care solutions—from clinical settings to frontline emergencies.

We warmly invite you to visit the TAICEND booth at MEDICA 2025 in Germany, where you can explore more of our products and technologies with in-depth professional insights.

Booth number: Hall6 #H66-1

Join us on this journey of innovation in wound healing!

Contact:

Tsumin Huang

+886 7 6955313

401603@email4pr.com

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harnessing-molecular-medicine-to-accelerate-wound-healing-302586308.html

SOURCE TAICEND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

Copyright 2025 PR Newswire

Key Highlights:

  • TAICEND’s molecular medicine-driven products accelerate wound healing by over 50%, targeting postoperative, chronic, and trauma scenarios.
  • Postoperative Care Series reduces infection risk and scarring in surgical recovery.
  • Acute & Chronic Wound Series ideal for pressure ulcers in home and long-term care.
  • Pressure Relief Series prevents device-related injuries in immobile patients.
  • New IAD prevention product in Skin Protection Series simplifies elderly skin care.
  • Emergency & Trauma Series includes battlefield-ready tools like tourniquets and chest seals.

Read full article

Keywords:
molecular medicine wound healing,
postoperative wound care,
chronic wound series,
pressure ulcers,
trauma series

Phase 2 Triumph: PDA-002 Cell Therapy for Diabetic Foot Ulcers with PAD



Phase 2 Results: PDA-002 Cell Therapy Advances DFU Treatment in PAD Patients

Full Press Release:

Celularity Announces Peer-Reviewed Publication of Phase 2 Clinical Trial Results Demonstrating the Safety and Efficacy of Human Placenta-Derived Cells (PDA-002) for Diabetic Foot Ulcers Complicated by Peripheral Artery Disease

First-in-class regenerative therapy for diabetic foot ulcers complicated by peripheral artery disease

Celularity PDA-002 achieved durable wound healing with just two intramuscular doses

As a qualified stem cell therapy under Florida statute (§ 458.3245), effective July 1, 2025 authorizing use in wound care, orthopedics, and pain management, PDA-002 may offer licensed Florida physicians an important new tool in treating DFU patients.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Celularity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELU) (“Celularity”), a regenerative and cellular medicine company addressing age-related and degenerative diseases, today announced the publication of its Phase 2 study titled “Human Placenta-Derived Cells (PDA-002) in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients With and Without Peripheral Artery Disease: A Phase 2 Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial,” in the International Wound Journal. Results of this study demonstrated safety and efficacy in a complex type of serious wounds in the setting of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. Celularity’s Chairman and CEO, Robert J. Hariri, M.D., Ph.D., also commented on PDA-002 as a stem cell therapy which qualifies under a recently enacted Florida law expanding access in the state to stem cell therapies not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Approximately two million individuals in the United States are affected each year by diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), nearly half of whom have coexisting peripheral artery disease (PAD). DFU complicated by PAD represents one of the most difficult and costly challenges in wound care. Currently, there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies specifically indicated for DFU with PAD. The estimated annual economic burden of treating DFU alone exceeds $9 billion in the United States. The presence of PAD significantly compromises lower-extremity perfusion, leading to chronic tissue ischemia, impaired angiogenesis, and delayed wound repair. PAD-associated DFUs are further characterized by persistent inflammation, altered immune response, and diminished responsiveness to standard wound care interventions. Despite five FDA-approved DFU therapies, none are currently approved for DFU complicated by PAD, underscoring the need for novel regenerative approaches that restore tissue perfusion and accelerate wound closure.

The published study included 159 adult patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers (both with and without PAD) and was conducted across 35 clinical sites in the United States. Participants received two intramuscular doses of either PDA-002, a placenta-derived cell therapy developed by Celularity, at one of three dosage levels (3 × 10⁶, 10 × 10⁶, or 30 × 10⁶ cells), or a placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the number of patients who achieved complete wound closure within three months with healing that remained intact for at least four additional weeks—a more rigorous measure of durability than the standard FDA definition, which requires only two weeks of durable healing.

In patients with PAD, the highest rates of wound closure were observed with the lowest PDA-002 dose (3 × 10⁶ cells), where 38.5% of ulcers completely healed versus 22.6% in the placebo group. The data also showed faster and more sustained healing in treated patients along with fewer cases of new gangrene and foot infections compared to those who received a placebo. Across all groups, PDA-002 was well tolerated, with no serious side effects linked to the treatment. This favorable safety profile remained consistent through two years of follow-up.

The study’s findings highlight the regenerative and angiogenic potential of PDA-002 in promoting durable ulcer closure in patients with DFUs complicated by PAD, using only two doses and no retreatment.

” The publication of our PDA-002 Phase 2 results in the International Wound Journal is a significant milestone for Celularity, and importantly, for patients battling diabetic foot ulcers complicated by peripheral artery disease, which is a patient population with a critical unmet medical need and limited treatment options,” said Robert J. Hariri, M.D., Ph.D., Celularity’s Chairman and CEO. “Our data show that our investigational therapy, PDA-002, a placenta-derived, mesenchymal stromal-like cell therapy, can drive meaningful wound closure rates, reduce serious complications, and do so with a favorable safety profile. We believe PDA-002 has potential to transform the future of ischemic wound care, and these findings position us for a confirmatory Phase 3 trial aimed at delivering the first FDA-approved targeted therapy in regenerative wound care for DFU/PAD patients with this urgent and unmet need. We also believe these clinical results support additional development in clinical indications where underlying microvascular disease is a contributing factor.”

Commenting on recent developments, Dr. Hariri said, “Celularity is actively assessing opportunities to apply these findings in jurisdictions such as Florida, where PDA-002 qualifies as a stem cell therapy under a new law authorizing use by Florida physicians in wound care, orthopedics, and pain management.” Diabetes afflicts an estimated 2.1 million Floridians according to a January 2025 Florida Diabetes Advisory Council report, which found that the percentage of adult Floridians diagnosed with diabetes grew by almost half since 2002 and is now above the national average (12.2% versus 11.6%). That percentage jumps to 25.4% among Floridians ages 65 and older, or some 1.25 million people, a fifth to a third of whom will go on to develop a DFU, for which the 5-year recurrence rate is 65%. “By unleashing promising stem cell therapies like PDA-002, Florida has given physicians a potentially important new tool for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, a serious condition that afflicts over a quarter of a million Floridians ages 65 and older,” said Dr. Hariri.

About PDA-002

PDA-002 is a mesenchymal stromal-like cell therapy product derived from the postpartum placenta. These cells possess potent angiogenic, immunomodulatory, and tissue-repair properties, offering a novel approach to wound healing in patients for whom current therapies are inadequate.

About Celularity Inc.

Celularity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELU) is a regenerative and aging-related cellular medicine company developing, manufacturing, and commercializing advanced biomaterial products and allogeneic and autologous cell therapies, all derived from the postpartum placenta. Celularity believes that by harnessing the placenta’s unique biology and ready availability, it can develop therapeutic solutions that address significant unmet global needs for effective, accessible, and affordable therapies targeting fundamental aging mechanisms, such as cellular senescence, age-related chronic inflammation, and tissue degeneration. For more information about Celularity and its cutting-edge regenerative medicine solutions, please visit www.celularity.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding: (i) our future sales or sales growth; (ii) our expectations for future financial results, including levels of net sales; (iii) our expectations regarding new products, including our 510K products; and (iv) future demand for our products. All statements other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements,” including those relating to future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “could,” “continue,” “expect,” “improving,” “may,” “observed,” “potential,” “promise,” “should,” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances). Forward-looking statements are based on Celularity’s current expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements, including those risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Celularity’s annual report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 8, 2025 and May 21, 2025, respectively, and other filings with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Celularity does not presently know, or that Celularity currently believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect Celularity’s current expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Subsequent events and developments could cause assessments to change. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Celularity’s views as of any subsequent date, and Celularity undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained herein, whether because of any new information, future events, changed circumstances, or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Carlos Ramirez

Senior Vice President, Celularity Inc.

Carlos.ramirez@celularity.com

(908) 845-4181

Key Highlights:

  • Trial enrolled 159 adults with chronic DFUs (with/without PAD) across 35 U.S. sites; primary endpoint was complete closure within 3 months, sustained for 4 weeks.
  • In PAD patients, low-dose PDA-002 achieved 38.5% healing vs. 22.6% placebo, with quicker onset and durability, requiring no retreatment.
  • Therapy reduced new gangrene and foot infections, showcasing regenerative benefits through enhanced perfusion and reduced inflammation.
  • Safety profile excellent: well-tolerated with no treatment-related serious adverse events over 2-year follow-up.
  • Implications include potential FDA approval via Phase 3; now qualified for use in Florida under new stem cell laws for ~2.1M diabetic residents.

Read full article

Keywords:
diabetic foot ulcers,
PDA-002,
peripheral artery disease,
placenta-derived cells,
regenerative wound therapy

University Health Opens Clinic Aimed at Preventing Diabetic Amputations



University Health Opens Clinic Aimed at Preventing Diabetic Amputations

Summary: University Health has launched a new Limb Salvage Clinic at the Texas Diabetes Institute in San Antonio to combat the rising tide of diabetes-related foot ulcers and amputations in Bexar County, where 15% of residents (up to 239,000 people) live with diabetes—higher than state and national averages. Led by interventional cardiologist Dr. Anand Prasad, the clinic offers comprehensive, one-stop services including podiatric wound monitoring, debridement, minimally invasive vascular procedures like angioplasty with dissolvable stents, and preventive care for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and neuropathy. Highlighting the urgency, the facility treated its first patient, 50-year-old Charlie Treviño, a diabetic construction worker with a recent foot ulcer post-heart surgery, aiming to restore blood flow and promote healing to avoid limb loss. By integrating podiatry, cardiology, and vascular surgery, the clinic addresses rapid wound progression—potentially infecting within days—and underserved needs in high-risk Hispanic and Black communities, targeting 20+ patients weekly for faster, multidisciplinary intervention.

Key Highlights:

  • Bexar County diabetes prevalence: 15% (239,000 people), with some zip codes over 20%; lifetime foot ulcer risk for diabetics: 25-33%; U.S. annual diabetic amputations: >100,000.
  • Clinic location: Texas Diabetes Institute, South Zarzamora Street, San Antonio; services include wound debridement, offloading, vascular angioplasty, and collaborative podiatry-cardiology care.
  • First patient case: Charlie Treviño received immediate podiatric evaluation and planned stent procedure to improve leg/foot circulation, emphasizing early intervention for non-healing ulcers.
  • Expert insights: Dr. Michael Sobolevsky calls San Antonio the “diabetic foot capital of the world”; Dr. Ivana Akinyeye stresses single-visit efficiency as “time is of the essence” for ulcers.
  • Broader impact: Addresses PAD/neuropathy causing poor healing; aims to reduce lifelong disability in underserved areas, with plans for vascular surgery integration and expanded staffing.

Read full article

Keywords: limb salvage clinic, diabetic foot ulcers, amputation prevention, peripheral artery disease, multidisciplinary wound care

Epidermolysis Bullosa Argentina: Butterfly Skin & Garrahan Hospital Care



Epidermolysis Bullosa Argentina: Butterfly Skin & Garrahan Hospital Care

Summary: In Argentina, epidermolysis bullosa (EB) affects ~1,200 people with “butterfly skin” that blisters from minor friction, requiring lifelong wound care to prevent infections. Garrahan Hospital leads with multidisciplinary teams for diagnosis, nutrition, pain management, and mental health, while CEDIGEA advances genetic sequencing for mutation-specific therapies. Challenges include malnutrition from esophageal strictures, chronic pain, and social isolation, but hope lies in gene therapy, protein replacement, stem cells, and bioengineered skins. Support groups like Alas de Mariposa advocate for funding and awareness to shift from symptom relief to cures.

Key Highlights:

  • EB spectrum: Lethal infancy forms to adult chronic cases; skin adhesion gene mutations cause fragility beyond skin to organs.
  • Diagnosis: Genomic sequencing at CEDIGEA pinpoints mutations for tailored care and therapy targeting.
  • Care at Garrahan: Integrates wound prevention, nutrition, pain relief, and psych support; model for regional EB management.
  • Emerging therapies: Gene therapy restores proteins; stem cells regenerate skin; advanced dressings/bioengineered substitutes reduce infections.
  • Advocacy: Alas de Mariposa provides resources; calls for donations, awareness, and policy for rare disease access.

    • Read full article

    Keywords: epidermolysis bullosa, butterfly skin, Garrahan Hospital, gene therapy, EB care

    Comprehensive Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals Tissue-Specific Molecular Signatures and ….



    Comprehensive Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals Tissue-Specific Molecular Signatures and Dysregulated Pathways in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

    Summary:** This study performed RNA sequencing on skin, adipose, and muscle tissues from DFU patients and non-ulcerated diabetic controls to uncover tissue-specific molecular drivers of DFU pathogenesis. Differential expression analyses identified 105 overlapping targets across tissues, with hub genes like AKT1 and MMP9 enriched in oxidative stress, inflammation, and bacterial response pathways (e.g., AGE-RAGE, TNF, IL-17). Refractory DFUs showed upregulated pro-inflammatory genes and downregulated repair factors, suggesting personalized therapies targeting fibrosis and angiogenesis for improved healing in diabetic wounds.

    Key Highlights:

    • Dataset: Skin/adipose/muscle from 10 DFU patients vs. 10 controls; 105 common DEGs, 10 hubs (AKT1, EGFR, MMP9).
    • Pathways: Enriched in AGE-RAGE (diabetic complications), TNF/IL-17 (inflammation), bacterial invasion; tissue-specific: skin fibrosis, muscle ECM degradation.
    • Refractory signatures: Upregulated IL6, CDKNs; downregulated CCNA2; links to poor granulation and chronicity.
    • Therapeutic targets: AKT1/HSP90AA1 for survival; MMP9/MAPK8 for matrix preservation and inflammation control.
    • Implications: Supports precision medicine for DFUs; future: RT-qPCR validation in larger cohorts.

    Read full article

    Keywords: transcriptomic profiling, diabetic foot ulcers, tissue-specific genes, inflammatory pathways, refractory wounds

    CARE Hospitals Launches Month-Long Diabetes Awareness Initiative



    CARE Hospitals Launches Month-Long Diabetes Awareness Initiative – Focus on Preventing Diabetic Foot Complications

    Summary:** CARE Hospitals Group has kicked off a November 2025 diabetes awareness campaign targeting foot complications, with free screenings, workshops, and consultations to educate on early detection of ulcers and neuropathy. Affecting 19-34% of diabetics, foot ulcers lead to infections and amputations if unchecked; the initiative promotes self-exams, proper footwear, and glycemic control, led by experts like Dr. P.C. Gupta. Aimed at 422 million global diabetics, it seeks to cut healthcare burdens through community outreach and policy advocacy for better access.

    Key Highlights:

    • Campaign: Free foot checks, workshops on hygiene/nutrition; targets urban/rural diabetics.
    • Risks: 19-34% ulcer incidence; 50% recur within 3 years; 85% amputations precede ulcers.
    • Prevention: Daily inspections, offloading, HbA1c <7%; early referral for neuropathy.
    • Expert: Dr. Gupta: “Awareness saves limbs”; 422M global diabetics, 77M in India.
    • Impact: Reduces infections/amputations; partners with NGOs for screening.

    Read full article

    Keywords: diabetic foot prevention, awareness campaign, free screening, CARE Hospitals, neuropathy management

    Spiddal Company Launches “Ground-Breaking” Wound Care Device



    Spiddal Company Launches “Ground-Breaking” Wound Care Device

    Summary:** FeelTect, a Spiddal-based medtech firm, has launched Tight Alright—a wearable device that monitors and adjusts compression in real-time for wound care, targeting venous ulcers and lymphedema. Using sensors and AI, it ensures optimal pressure to promote healing while preventing complications like tissue damage. With €1.5M investment, the device aims to transform outpatient management, reducing hospital visits and improving adherence in chronic wounds.

    Key Highlights:

    • Technology: Wearable sensors track pressure, moisture, and movement; AI app adjusts via alerts or automated inflation.
    • Applications: Venous ulcers, lymphedema, post-surgical swelling; reduces 30% non-compliance in compression therapy.
    • Funding: €1.5M from Enterprise Ireland; CEO: “A game-changer for patient-centered wound care.”
    • Impact: Improves circulation, accelerates closure; trials show 25% faster healing.
    • Launch: Available Q1 2026; partnerships with HSE for rollout.

    Read full article

    Keywords: compression device, real-time monitoring, venous ulcers, AI wound care, FeelTect

    voize Secures $50M Series A – Voice AI to Automate Nursing Documentation & Wound Imaging



    voize Secures $50M Series A – Voice AI to Automate Nursing Documentation & Wound Imaging

    Summary: San Francisco-based voize announced a $50M Series A (led by Kleiner Perkins and Lux Capital) to commercialize its ambient voice assistant designed specifically for bedside nursing. The platform listens in real time, auto-generates structured EHR notes, photographs and measures wounds, tracks medication administration, handles scheduling, and sends emergency alerts — all hands-free and HIPAA-compliant.

    Key Highlights:

    • Funding: $50M Series A (total raised now $68M).
    • Core Features: Ambient listening → structured documentation, AI wound photography + measurement, med administration logging, shift hand-off summaries, emergency escalation.
    • Integration: Native compatibility with Epic, Cerner, and Meditech; zero-click wound photos auto-upload to flowsheets.
    • Early Results: Pilot sites report 42–68% reduction in after-shift charting time and 30% faster wound documentation turnaround.
    • Go-to-Market: Targeting U.S. hospital systems and large wound clinics in 2026; pricing will be per-bed subscription.

    Read full announcement

    Keywords: voize, voice AI, nursing documentation, AI wound imaging, EHR integration, Series A

    Harnessing Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells



    Wound Healing: Harnessing Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

    Summary: This review explores adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (ADSC-EVs) as promising therapies for chronic wounds, including DFUs. ADSC transplantation accelerates healing across wound types while reducing scarring; ADSC-EVs, as key paracrine mediators, offer advantages like stability and no immunogenicity. ADSC-EVs modulate the wound microenvironment by promoting keratinocyte migration (via AKT/HIF-1α), M2 macrophage polarization (via miR-124-5p), angiogenesis (via SIRT3/SOD2), and ECM remodeling (via miR-192-5p). Preconditioning (hypoxia/ultrasound) and biomaterials (hydrogels) enhance delivery; clinical trials show improved closure and regeneration, though larger DFU studies needed.

    Key Highlights:

    • ADSC-EVs Cargo: Proteins (growth factors), ncRNAs (miRNAs like miR-21-5p for fibrosis inhibition).
    • Mechanisms: Re-epithelialization via Wnt/β-catenin; anti-inflammation via H19/miR-130b-3p; angiogenesis via EGR-1/VEGF.
    • Preconditioning: Hypoxia increases EV yield 2x; ultrasound improves targeting.
    • Delivery: Hydrogels/scaffolds for sustained release; microneedles for transdermal.
    • Clinical: Trials show 30-50% faster closure in DFUs; safe, minimal scarring.

    Read full review

    Keywords: ADSC-EVs, wound healing, DFU, paracrine, preconditioning, Qisong Liu, Cuiping Zhang, Yujie Liang

    Endocrine and Metabolic Modulation of Vascular Dysfunction in the Diabetic Foot



    Endocrine and Metabolic Modulation of Vascular Dysfunction in the Diabetic Foot: A Narrative Review

    Summary: January 25, 2026 narrative review synthesizes evidence on the endocrine-vascular axis in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Beyond traditional risks (hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia), endocrine alterations (impaired insulin signaling, glucagon excess, adipokine imbalance, stress hormones, thyroid dysfunction) interact with mitochondrial issues and inflammation to impair endothelial function, reduce nitric oxide, promote oxidative stress/pro-ischemic environment, and hinder angiogenesis, ECM remodeling, immune response, and repair. Draws from PubMed/Embase/Scopus studies; highlights potential biomarkers for risk stratification and emerging therapies targeting hormonal/metabolic optimization. Identifies gaps and priorities for translational research to improve DFU outcomes and limb preservation.

    Key Highlights:

    • Mechanisms: Endocrine dysregulation exacerbates microvascular compromise in diabetes.
    • Implications: Limits effective wound repair; pro-inflammatory/ischemic tissue milieu.
    • Perspectives: Biomarkers, endocrine modulation for prevention/healing.
    • Relevance: Deepens understanding of DFU pathophysiology; supports integrated strategies beyond local wound care.

    Read full review

    Keywords: endocrine vascular axis, diabetic foot ulcer, vascular dysfunction, DFU prevention

    KCI Introduces New Round and Thin Dressings to Its Vacuum Assisted Closure Products



    KCI Introduces New Round and Thin Dressings to Its Vacuum Assisted Closure Products

    Summary: KCI introduces round and thin foam dressings optimized for VAC NPWT systems, targeting irregular/small/contoured wounds (e.g., DFUs, surgical, pressure ulcers). Round for focal sites; thin for shallow areas with reduced bulk under drapes. Benefits: superior conformability, seal integrity, patient comfort/mobility, fewer leaks, consistent pressure delivery for granulation/healing. Simplifies use in outpatient/home settings; complements NPWT in complex/chronic cases.

    Key Highlights:

    • Design: Round (focal), thin (contoured/shallow).
    • Advantages: Conformability, seal, reduced changes.
    • Applications: Chronic/trauma wounds.
    • Relevance: Refines NPWT for hard-to-manage sites.

    Read article

    Keywords: VAC dressings, NPWT innovations, KCI round thin

    Carbon Dot Nanotherapeutics Modulating the Polyol Pathway and …



    Carbon Dot Nanotherapeutics Modulating the Polyol Pathway and Targeting Infection Pathogens Associated with Diabetic Complications

    Summary: This study synthesizes nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-HCD from hexamethylenediamine, N-ECD from ethylenediamine) via hydrothermal method and evaluates their dual role in modulating diabetic complications. The dots significantly inhibit aldose reductase (AR) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities in ex vivo kidney tissue from STZ-induced diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner, reducing polyol pathway flux and associated oxidative stress that contributes to delayed wound healing in diabetes. They also exhibit selective bacteriostatic activity against Enterococcus faecalis (common in diabetic foot infections), with inhibition zones of 11.5–13 mm at 50 µg/mL and no effect on other tested bacteria (S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae). In silico docking shows strong binding to AR active site residues. Biocompatible and low-toxicity profile. Suggests potential as a multifunctional nanotherapeutic for managing hyperglycemia-driven metabolic stress and polymicrobial infections in diabetic foot ulcers and chronic wounds.

    Key Highlights:

    • Dose-dependent inhibition of AR and SDH in diabetic tissue
    • Selective bacteriostatic effect against E. faecalis (11.5–13 mm zones)
    • Favorable in silico binding to AR residues
    • Biocompatible; no activity against other common pathogens
    • Dual metabolic + antimicrobial potential for DFU management

    Read full article (open access)

    Keywords: carbon dots, polyol pathway, diabetic foot ulcer, Imane Nait Irahal, Noureddine Bourhim

    Pharmacological Advancements of Novel Natural-Based Nanomedicines

    Editorial: Pharmacological Advancements of Novel Natural-Based Nanomedicines

    Summary: Published March 19, 2026 in Frontiers in Pharmacology (Vol. 17, DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1823081), this editorial by Marios Spanakis (University of Crete, Greece), Ana Isabel Fraguas (Complutense University, Madrid), and Sofia Papadimitriou (Prolepsis Institute, Athens) closes out a Frontiers Research Topic on pharmacological advancements of novel natural-based nanomedicines — an 8-article collection bridging nanoformulation science, translational pharmacology, and regulatory strategy. Natural-based nanomedicines combine biologically derived materials (plant extracts, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles, bioactive phytochemicals) with nanotechnology platforms (solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, drug-drug nanocrystals, nanoparticle-decorated scaffolds) to overcome the principal limitations of natural compounds in clinical use: poor aqueous solubility, low systemic bioavailability, rapid enzymatic degradation, and limited targeting specificity. The editorial summarises key contributions across metabolic liver disease, wound healing, neurological injury, and oncology. In diabetic wound care — the application most directly relevant to this audience — the collection includes a review by Yadav et al. on nano-enabled delivery systems for plant-derived bioactive formulations in diabetic wound management, discussing how polymeric or metallic nanocarriers can enhance targeted delivery, antimicrobial action, and tissue regeneration, while contextualising emerging nano-therapies within ongoing clinical and patent developments. Other articles cover piperine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, ursolic acid drug-drug nanocrystals for cholestatic liver injury (restoring liver function via oxidative stress and bile acid metabolism modulation), and a Rosa canina oligosaccharide liposome for spinal cord injury neuroprotection. In oncology, two articles address green-synthesised silver nanoparticles from plant extracts (biosynthesis review, anticancer profiling) and plant-derived extracellular nanovesicles from Citrus limon showing PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK modulation in triple-negative breast cancer models. A bibliometric analysis of plant-derived exosome nanovesicle theranostics rounds out the collection. Cross-cutting themes highlighted by the editors are: (1) nano-encapsulation consistently enhances pharmacokinetics and therapeutic stability of natural compounds; (2) sustainability and biosafety remain essential design considerations; (3) mechanistic understanding linking nanostructure to biological function is increasingly emphasised; and (4) translational progress requires predictive modeling, standardised characterisation, and engagement with regulatory frameworks before preclinical success can translate to clinical practice.

    Key Highlights:

    • Diabetic wound relevance: Yadav et al. review covers how nano-enabled delivery of plant-derived bioactives (curcumin, Aloe vera, centella, etc.) can enhance targeted delivery to the wound bed, improve antimicrobial activity, and promote tissue regeneration — linking traditional phytomedicine to modern nanocarrier platforms
    • Formulation science showcase: piperine SLNs enhance oral bioavailability and prolong hepatic circulation; ursolic acid drug-drug nanocrystals with α-tocopherol succinate restore liver function in cholestatic injury — demonstrating how rational nano-design enables synergistic pharmacodynamics not achievable with free compounds
    • Plant-derived nanovesicles: Citrus limon-derived extracellular nanovesicles showed cellular uptake and suppression of proliferation/migration in triple-negative breast cancer models via PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK — a field converging green chemistry, nanotechnology, and precision oncology
    • Spinal cord injury application: Rosa canina oligosaccharide liposome improved sensory-motor function, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and promoted neuronal survival in SCI rats — extending natural nanomedicine into neuroprotective contexts
    • Four translational imperatives identified by editors: optimising nano-encapsulation for pharmacokinetic performance; ensuring biosafety and sustainability in green-synthesised materials; advancing mechanistic understanding of nano-bio interactions; and engaging with regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA) for clinical translation
    • Research Topic scope: 8 articles, 32,000+ views; covers metabolic disorders, oncology, wound healing, neurological injury, and nanovesicle theranostics — reflecting the breadth of natural-based nanomedicine applications now under active investigation

    Read full article

    Keywords: natural nanomedicine wound healing, plant extract nanoparticle wound, phytochemical nanocarrier diabetic wound, solid lipid nanoparticle drug delivery, green synthesis nanoparticle biocompatible, plant exosome nanovesicle therapy

    Marios Spanakis, Ana Isabel Fraguas, Sofia Papadimitriou

    FibroBiologics Announces Successful Manufacturing of CYWC628 Drug Product to Support Upcoming Diabetic Foot Ulcer Clinical Trial



    FibroBiologics Announces Successful Manufacturing of CYWC628 Drug Product to Support Upcoming Diabetic Foot Ulcer Clinical Trial

    Summary: In this March 31, 2026 announcement, FibroBiologics, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBLG) reports successful completion of cGMP manufacturing for its investigational fibroblast-derived therapy CYWC628. The product is advancing to support a first-in-human Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating safety and efficacy in patients with refractory diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). CYWC628 represents a novel regenerative approach leveraging fibroblasts to address the underlying deficits in chronic non-healing DFUs, a condition affecting up to 15–25% of people with diabetes and often leading to amputation. The milestone enables trial initiation in the first half of 2026 and underscores progress in cell-based therapies for hard-to-heal wounds.

    Key Highlights:

    • Successful cGMP manufacturing of CYWC628 completed
    • Prepares for Phase 1/2 trial in refractory DFU patients
    • Fibroblast-based regenerative platform targeting chronic wound deficits
    • Addresses high unmet need in diabetic foot ulcer management

    Read full announcement

    Keywords: CYWC628, FibroBiologics, diabetic foot ulcer trial, fibroblast therapy

    GPCRs as key regulators in wound healing



    GPCRs as key regulators in wound healing

    Summary: This 2026 review explores the critical role of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in orchestrating wound healing phases (hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, remodeling). GPCRs modulate immune cell chemotaxis, platelet aggregation, keratinocyte migration/proliferation, macrophage polarization, and key signaling cascades including Hedgehog-GLI, Hippo-YAP/TAZ, and Wnt/β-catenin. In diabetic and chronic wounds, specific GPCRs (e.g., P2Y12, CXCR4, BLT2, AT1R) influence inflammation resolution, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization. Agonists/antagonists targeting GPCRs show promise for accelerating healing, with examples including prostacyclin analogs for DFU perfusion and CXCR4 antagonists for progenitor cell recruitment. The review highlights GPCRs as versatile drug targets for improving outcomes in hard-to-heal wounds.

    Key Highlights:

    • GPCRs regulate immune infiltration, cell migration, and multiple healing pathways (Hedgehog, Hippo, Wnt)
    • Relevance to DFU: P2Y12 promotes resolution; CXCR4 antagonism and BLT2 activation improve diabetic healing
    • Therapeutic examples: beraprost/iloprost, losartan, AMD3100, PGE2 hydrogels
    • Authors: Haidi Chen, Kun Zheng, Yue Xiao, Xun Feng, Chang Zhang, Ting Zhang

    Read full article (open access)

    Keywords: GPCRs wound healing, chronic wound mechanisms, diabetic foot ulcer therapy, macrophage polarization, Haidi Chen

    Australian bee glue delivers a scar-fighting compound that shuts down raised scars before they take hold



    Australian bee glue delivers a scar-fighting compound that shuts down raised scars before they take hold

    Summary: Researchers from Australia have identified tomentosenol A, a compound from propolis (bee glue), that shows strong anti-scarring potential. In human cell culture models, the compound blocks key signaling pathways that drive excessive scar formation (hypertrophic and keloid scars) and promotes apoptosis (self-destruction) of scar-forming fibroblasts—mimicking the controlled resolution seen in normal wound healing. This early laboratory work addresses the need for better therapies targeting the root causes of raised, painful, and functionally limiting scars from surgery, injury, or burns. Pre-clinical trials are planned next. The discovery highlights the value of natural product research for regenerative wound care and scar management.

    Key Highlights:

    • Tomentosenol A from Australian propolis inhibits scarring signals and induces fibroblast apoptosis
    • Promotes healing pathways similar to normal (non-scarring) wound resolution
    • Potential applications: hypertrophic scars from surgery, trauma, and burns
    • Researchers: Lisa Randall (lead PhD student), Fraser Russell, Trong Tran, Robert Harvey et al.

    Read full article

    Keywords: propolis scar treatment, hypertrophic scars, tomentosenol A, Lisa Randall

    FibroBiologics Announces Release of CYWC628 Drug Product for Phase 1/2 Diabetic Foot Ulcer Clinical Trial


    FibroBiologics Announces Release of CYWC628 Drug Product for Phase 1/2 Diabetic Foot Ulcer Clinical Trial

    Summary: FibroBiologics, Inc. announced the successful release and shipment of the first clinical batch of CYWC628, its fibroblast-based spheroid therapeutic candidate, for the upcoming Phase 1/2 trial in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). This milestone positions the company to begin patient enrollment and dosing. CYWC628 aims to harness the regenerative power of fibroblasts to improve healing in chronic DFUs.

    Key Highlights:

    • First GMP batch of CYWC628 released and shipped for clinical use
    • Phase 1/2 trial in DFU patients now imminent
    • Novel fibroblast spheroid approach targeting regenerative wound healing
    • Part of broader platform with 270+ patents in regenerative medicine

    Read full announcement

    Keywords: CYWC628, FibroBiologics DFU, fibroblast spheroids

    FibroBiologics Announces Release of CYWC628 Drug Product for Phase 1/2 Diabetic Foot Ulcer Clinical Trial


    FibroBiologics Announces Release of CYWC628 Drug Product for Phase 1/2 Diabetic Foot Ulcer Clinical Trial

    Summary: FibroBiologics has successfully manufactured and released the first clinical batch of CYWC628, its novel fibroblast-based spheroid therapeutic candidate. This milestone enables the start of patient enrollment in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). The company aims to leverage the regenerative potential of fibroblasts to improve healing in chronic, hard-to-heal DFUs.

    Key Highlights:

    • First GMP batch of CYWC628 released and ready for clinical use
    • Phase 1/2 DFU trial imminent with patient dosing expected soon
    • Novel spheroid technology targeting regenerative wound repair
    • Part of FibroBiologics’ broader regenerative medicine platform

    Read full announcement

    Keywords: CYWC628, FibroBiologics DFU, fibroblast spheroid

    High Levels of Oxidative Stress and Skin Microbiome are Critical for Initiation and Development of Chronic Wounds in Diabetic Mice

    A balanced redox state is critical for proper healing. Although human chronic wounds are characterized by high levels of oxidative stress (OS), whether OS levels are critical for chronic wound development is not known. For these studies, we used our chronic wound model in diabetic mice that has similar characteristics as human chronic wounds, including naturally developed biofilm. We hypothesize that OS levels in wound tissues are critical for chronic wound initiation and development. We show that increased OS levels in the wound correlate with increased chronicity. Moreover, without increased OS levels, biofilm taken from chronic wounds and placed in new excision wounds do not create chronic wounds. Similarly, high OS levels in the wound tissue in the absence of the skin microbiome do not lead to chronic wounds. These findings show that both high OS levels and bacteria are needed for chronic wound initiation and development … read more

    Next Science Product Featured in Lifetime Channel Program on Treating Chronic Wounds

    Next Science (ASX:NXS), an innovative medical technology company and leader in treating biofilm-based infections in humans, today announced new educational broadcast content about chronic infections, which impact 17 million Americans each year. “The Balancing Act,” a lifestyle show that airs on the Lifetime channel, will feature a segment that discusses the costly and debilitating nature of these infections and how physicians can more effectively treat patients suffering from chronic wounds, including diabetic wounds, by using BLASTX, Next Science’s antimicrobial wound gel … In addition to treating diabetic foot and leg ulcers, BLASTX can also be used for stage I-V pressure ulcers, partial- and full-thickness wounds, post-surgical wounds, first and second degree burns, and grafted and donor sites. BLASTX, which uses Next Science’s patented XBIO® Technology, which physically deconstructs the protective shell over the bacterial biofilm matrix, destroys bacteria within the gel and defends from recolonization while maintaining a moist wound environment. BLASTX is non-toxic and lasts up to five days … read more

    Scientists design ‘smart’ wound healing technique

    New research, published in the journal Advanced Materials, paves the way for “a new generation of materials that actively work with tissues to drive [wound] healing.” … As more and more surgical procedures are performed in the United States, the number of surgical site infections is also on the rise … Chronic wounds that do not heal — such as those that occur in diabetes — often host a wide range of bacteria in the form of a biofilm … Such biofilm bacteria are often very resilient to treatment, and antimicrobial resistance only increases the possibility that these wounds become infected … read more

    Effect of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Solution on Bacterial

         Load and Biofilm in Venous Leg Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

     

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) solution as a wound cleanser on bacterial load and bacterial biofilm in venous leg ulcers … The target population was adults attending the dermatology outpatient clinic of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample comprised 44 patients with venous leg ulcers recruited over a 6-month period … read more

    Electrically charged bandages help to heal burn wounds

         combat antibiotic resistance

     

    Researchers from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have developed special electrically charged bandages that can prevent infections, combat antibiotic resistance and enable healing in burn wounds. This type of dressing turns electrically active when it comes in contact with bodily fluids. According to Dr. Chandan Sen, director of Ohio State’s Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Based Therapies, who led the study with colleagues at the Medical Center’s Comprehensive Wound Center and Center for Microbial Interface Technology, “Drug resistance in bacteria is a major threat, and antibiotic-resistant biofilm infections are estimated to account for at least 75 percent of bacterial infections in the United States. This is the first pre-clinical long-term porcine study to recognize the potential of ‘electroceuticals’ as an effective platform technology to combat wound biofilm infection.”

    Read more at: https://gineersnow.com/industries/medical/electrically-charged-bandages-can-fight-infections

    Edixomed: Breakthrough Wound Care Technology

    With Potential to Strike Back Against the Threat of Killer Superbugs

     

    A simple patch which cleverly harnesses part of the body’s own natural repair system – nitric oxide – could help in the fight against killer superbugs and antibiotic resistance according to recently published studies.

     

    Millions of people are at risk of dying from infections every day, many of which can no longer be treated by even the strongest antibiotics.

     

    Now, in two recently published studies, a breakthrough wound care system, created by the UK firm Edixomed, has been shown to kill a range of antibiotic-resistant bacteria including MRSA and E. Coli, both of which have the potential to be fatal for many people.

     

    The discovery could pave the way for these easy-to-use patches to be available in hospitals across the NHS to dress wounds to prevent the growth of bacteria, and tackle established infections.

     

    “Bacterial infections resistant to all currently available antibiotics are expected to kill over 10 million people a year by 2050. The threat is very real and of international concern; but with this technology, we have a novel, viable and innovative solution with which to strike back. Wound care is just the first of many potential applications,” said Professor Art Tucker, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He added, “Importantly, nitric oxide acts against multiple targets in bacteria to kill them, hence there is a very unlikely chance of bacteria developing resistance any time in the future.”

     

    In addition, Edixomed’s breakthrough, the EDX110 wound care system, is able to deliver nitric oxide in a sustained way to give the wound or ulcer the best chance of healing. As part of the natural healing process the body normally produces nitric oxide and uses it to signal for increased blood flow and to fight infection. Edixomed’s technology effectively “supercharges” the body’s own natural healing processes.

     

    In fact, recently published clinical research in diabetic foot ulcers, including infected ulcers, showed that the EDX110 patch achieved the same healing in 4 weeks as the standard-of-care approaches currently used in UK hospitals achieved at 12 weeks. The standard-of-care patients were also significantly more likely to be hospitalised due to complications with their foot ulcer.

     

    “Diabetic foot ulcers are notoriously hard-to-heal and are the leading cause of diabetes-related amputations in the UK. The recently published findings provide an essential step forward in developing solutions for the effective management of these chronic wounds,” said Professor Michael Edmonds, Principal Investigator of the pivotal diabetic foot ulcer study, King’s College Hospital, London. He added, “Reducing infection and accelerating healing could significantly contribute to a reduction in the number of avoidable amputations. EDX110 represents a major step forward in best practice care.”

     

    In severe cases, infection of a foot ulcer in a patient with diabetes can result in lower limb amputation or worse e.g. complications such as sepsis, multi-organ failure and death.

     

    Facts:

    • The NHS carries out more than 7,300 amputations each year in the UK as a result of diabetes, 80% of these are due to foot ulcers.[4] The resulting drain on healthcare resources is enormous, with an annual cost of £1 billion to NHS England alone.[5]
    • At least 700,000 people die globally from drug-resistant infections every year – 5,000 of them in the UK.[6],[7]
    • There have been no new classes of antibiotics approved since the 1980s and the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies warned in 2017 that resistance to antibiotics “poses a catastrophic threat”.[8]

     

    Key findings of the two recent studies investigating EDX110, a revolutionary new wound care system:

    • Laboratory tests have shown that EDX110 can kill all viable organisms for several deadly antibiotic-resistant infections including MRSA, Pseudomonas and E. Coli.[3]
    • Laboratory tests have shown that EDX110 effectively prevented and treated multi-drug resistant bacteria biofilms. Biofilms are colonies of bacteria that protect themselves from the body’s immune system and actions of antibiotics.[3]
    • EDX110 completely healed more ulcers compared with standard-of-care (ulcers completely healed: 49% vs. 30%).[2]
    • EDX110 reduced diabetic foot ulcer size by almost double the amount of standard-of-care (median percentage area reduction: 89% vs. 47%).[2]

     

    About Edixomed

    Edixomed is a biopharmaceutical company commercialising next generation and clinically-proven technologies from its nitric oxide platform. Using its patented scientific approach, the company’s technologies have the potential to tackle major global health challenges in wound care, dermatology and infection control. The core technology’s unique feature is its ability to replenish or supplement the body’s own supply of nitric oxide that is critical for sustaining healthy skin and organs. Nitric oxide is depleted or absent in many diseases and thus, the body’s normal healing and regenerative processes are damaged. Restoring that essential element is at the heart of Edixomed’s approach to innovative healthcare.

     

    About EDX110

    EDX110 is a revolutionary, easy-to-use, two-part wound care system, driven by Edixomed’s core sustained-release nitric oxide delivery technology. EDX110 provides a protective and cushioning layer that uniquely absorbs fluid while providing a moist environment and generating nitric oxide. The role of nitric oxide in ulcer healing involves three recognised elements: vascular, as nitric oxide influences the widening of blood vessels (vasodilation) and stimulates the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis);[9],[10] inflammatory, as nitric oxide influences the body’s immune response;[11] and antimicrobial, as nitric oxide demonstrates potent, broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.

     

    EDX110 is not yet an approved product, Edixomed are pursuing an active programme to develop applications of their core technology in multiple wound care indications and a number of additional areas. These areas include: surgical wound care, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, burns, septic shock, transdermal drug delivery, ventilator-associated pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and various applications connected to antimicrobial resistance.

     

    About nitric oxide

    The discovery that a simple gas, nitric oxide, could play such an important role in the human body led to three scientists being awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1998. The pioneering work demonstrated that the normal function of nitric oxide is to control blood flow in the small vessels in the skin and prevent the skin from being infected with dangerous organisms. Nitric oxide is also generated whenever the skin is injured or damaged and plays a crucial part in the normal skin healing process. However, in certain conditions, such as diabetes, the normal production of nitric oxide can be put at risk and the skin loses the essential ingredient it needs to repair itself. The result is a chronic, poorly healing wound, highly prone to infection and a major cause of concern to patients and doctors. Replenishing the missing nitric oxide in such a way as to mimic the skin’s natural production is no easy task and it has eluded many of the world’s leading scientists for the past two decades. Edixomed has succeeded in achieving this goal and has demonstrated the performance of its technology in a pivotal clinical trial.

    You can also visit our website at: http://www.edixomed.com

     

    Press Release from PR Newswire

    debritom+ by Medaxis: A New Treatment Method Shows Promise In Wound Healing

    PLANO, Texas, June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Non-healing diabetic foot wounds are increasing in prevalence, and create a higher risk for infection, osteomyelitis and amputation. To facilitate appropriate wound healing processes, proper debridement of the wound bed is critical to remove non-viable tissue and bacterial biofilm. Traditional debridement methods involve the use of a sharp blade, a method that often results in the removal of healthy, viable tissue and pain for the patient. In contrast, the Swiss wound care company, Medaxis has developed the debritom+ to precisely clean acute and chronic wounds in a tissue-preserving manner. By using Micro Water Jet technology, the debritom+ removes the unhealthy tissue such as fibrin, necrosis, and biofilm efficiently while performing a precise mechanical cleaning and stimulation of the wound base to enhance granulation and healing.

     

    Results from the interim analysis of a Multicenter Randomized Control Trial (NCT04564443) that has been accepted for presentation this week at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting in New Orleans, showed that weekly debridement using the debritom+ nearly doubled the rate of wound healing from 40% to 72% compared to the use of traditional methods. Also shown was a significant improvement in wound size reduction (87% versus 35%), while also reducing the frequency of infections and complications.

     

    Study Chair, Professor David Armstrong DPM MD PhD of Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California noted “The early data suggests great promise that better debridement tools can improve wound closure and decrease diabetic foot related complications and infections. This study supports that improved debridement methods, combined with good quality dressings and offloading, is beneficial and possibly synergistic to achieve wound healing in non-healing diabetic foot ulcers.”

     

    “To initiate wound healing, a quality debridement is key to success. In contrast to traditional debridement methods that remove both the non-viable and healthy tissue, the debritom+ by Medaxis removes only the non-viable tissue while preserving the healthy tissue underneath. By creating microbleeding and providing the oxygenation to the wound that is necessary for starting the healing process, the debritom+ has now been proven to initiate healing in nearly twice as many wounds as with traditional methods with six-times fewer infections and complications” stated Dr. Mark Cregan, Managing Director of Medaxis USA.

     

    Beat Moser, CEO of Medaxis said “These results validate the design philosophy of the Medaxis debritom+. The use of our patented Micro Water Jet Technology has now been proven to significantly improve wound healing outcomes. I have always believed that clean wounds heal better, and now we have the hard evidence.”

     

    To view the study results, or for more information about the debritom+ by Medaxis, please see www.medaxis.us, email info@medaxis.us, or call (312) 483-6214

     

    SOURCE Medaxis LLC

     

    This article was originally published here

    Chemical Compound Supercharges Antibiotics to Fight Chronic Wound Infections

    Chemical Compound Supercharges Antibiotics to Fight Chronic Wound Infections

    Summary: Researchers have identified a chemical compound that potentiates antibiotic efficacy against *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* in chronic wound models. When combined, the compound and antibiotics significantly improved bacterial killing, potentially overcoming resistance in wound pathogens.

    Key Highlights:

    • Synergistic effect: The compound improves antibiotic penetration or disrupts bacterial defenses in biofilm-laden wounds.
    • Model results: In vitro and ex vivo wound assays showed significantly higher kill rates compared to antibiotics alone.
    • Resistance implications: The strategy may help reclaim lost efficacy of existing antibiotics in chronic wound management.
    • Next steps: Authors call for in vivo trials, safety profiling, and exploration of delivery methods suitable for wound environments.

    Read the article on ContagionLive

    Keywords:
    antibiotic potentiator,
    chronic wound infections,
    biofilm disruption,
    drug synergy

    Antimicrobial stewardship in wound care: measurement, implementation, and outcomes


    Antimicrobial stewardship in wound care: measurement, implementation, and outcomes

    Summary: This article examines antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) specifically within wound care, outlining frameworks to measure antibiotic use, implement stewardship interventions, and assess clinical outcomes while minimizing resistance and toxicity.

    Key Highlights:

    • Defines AMS metrics relevant to wounds: antibiotic days, spectrum intensity, guideline adherence, culture-guided therapy.
    • Describes implementation strategies: care pathways, education, formulary controls, and microbiology collaboration.
    • Recommends outcome tracking: healing rates, infection recurrence, adverse drug events, and resistance trends.
    • Emphasizes biofilm-aware practice, debridement, and topical/antiseptic stewardship alongside systemic therapy.

    Read the article in WPR

    Keywords:
    antimicrobial stewardship,
    wound infection,
    antibiotic resistance,
    biofilm

    Histologics LLC Wound Care Launches Soft K-Bride®, a Revolutionary Wound-Bed Prep …



    Histologics LLC Wound Care Launches Soft K-Bride®, a Revolutionary Wound-Bed Prep, Debridement, and Biopsy Device

    Summary: Histologics LLC has launched Soft K-Bride®, a versatile device combining wound-bed preparation, debridement, and biopsy capabilities using proprietary Kylon® technology—a hooked brush array that gently removes necrotic tissue, biofilm, and debris while preserving healthy tissue. Designed for chronic wounds like diabetic ulcers and pressure injuries, it features a measured handle for depth assessment, flat head for excision, and concave face for wiping, enabling precise tangential biopsies for lab analysis. Training emphasizes micro-curette friction to prime beds for grafts, promoting antibiotic stewardship and reducing broad-spectrum use, with no scarring or trauma in use.

    Key Highlights:

    • Kylon® array: Transforms into frictional micro-curettes under pressure for debridement and biopsy without trauma.
    • Design: Incremented handle measures up to 10cm; flat/concave heads for controlled excision and margins.
    • Applications: Diabetic ulcers, pressure injuries, burns, surgical wounds; entraps tissue for culture/molecular testing.
    • Benefits: Training for clinicians; supports graft integration by priming viable surfaces; no scarring reported.
    • Quote: Dr. Neal Lonky: “Surgical excision into viable tissue assures grafts heal effectively; clears biofilm for better outcomes.”

    Read full article

    Keywords: Soft K-Bride, Kylon technology, wound debridement, tangential biopsy, chronic wound prep

    A Comprehensive Review on Diabetic Foot Ulcer Addressing Vascular Insufficiency ….



    A Comprehensive Review on Diabetic Foot Ulcer Addressing Vascular Insufficiency, Impaired Immune Response, and Microbial Dysbiosis

    Summary: This narrative review synthesizes DFU’s complex etiology, affecting 15-25% of diabetics and leading to 85% of amputations, driven by vascular insufficiency, neuropathy, hyperglycemia-induced immune defects, and biofilms. It covers diagnostic tools (TCOM, ABI, biopsy) and therapies from offloading/compression to advanced options like growth factors, stem cells, and bioengineered skins (50-70% closure rates). Microbial dysbiosis (e.g., Staphylococcus dominance) exacerbates inflammation; the review calls for personalized, multidisciplinary approaches with AI diagnostics and nanotech antimicrobials to reduce global burden and enhance limb salvage.

    Key Highlights:

    • Vascular/Neuropathy: Ischemia impairs perfusion; neuropathy masks pain, delaying detection.
    • Immune Dysbiosis: Hyperglycemia shifts macrophages to M1; biofilms (Staph/Pseudomonas) resist antibiotics.
    • Therapies: Offloading (TCCs 80% efficacy); HBOT (50% closure); bioengineered skins (70% in RCTs).
    • Future: AI for risk prediction; nanotech for targeted delivery; microbiome modulation.
    • Burden: $15B U.S. cost; 1M global amputations/year; prevention via screening/offloading.

    Read full article

    Keywords: diabetic foot ulcer, vascular insufficiency, immune response, microbial dysbiosis, bioengineered skins

    A Comprehensive Review on Diabetic Foot Ulcer Addressing Vascular Insufficiency



    A Comprehensive Review on Diabetic Foot Ulcer Addressing Vascular Insufficiency, Impaired Immune Response, and Microbial Dysbiosis

    Summary: This narrative review examines the multifactorial pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), affecting 15-25% of diabetics and leading to 85% of amputations, driven by vascular insufficiency, peripheral neuropathy, hyperglycemia-induced immune defects, and microbial dysbiosis with biofilms. It discusses diagnostic tools (ABI, TCOM, biopsy) and evidence-based therapies from offloading/compression (TCCs 80% efficacy) to advanced interventions like HBOT (50% closure), growth factors, stem cells, and bioengineered skins (50-70% rates). Microbial shifts (Staphylococcus dominance) exacerbate inflammation; the review advocates personalized, multidisciplinary strategies with AI diagnostics and nanotech antimicrobials to mitigate global burden and enhance limb salvage.

    Key Highlights:

    • Vascular/Neuropathy: Ischemia impairs perfusion; neuropathy masks pain, delaying detection in 60% of cases.
    • Immune Dysbiosis: Hyperglycemia promotes M1 macrophages; biofilms resist antibiotics in 50% of infected DFUs.
    • Therapies: Offloading (TCCs 80%); HBOT (50% closure); bioengineered skins (70% in RCTs).
    • Future: AI for risk prediction; microbiome modulation with phages; nanotech for targeted delivery.
    • Burden: $15B U.S. cost; 1M global amputations/year; prevention via screening/offloading cuts risk 50%.

    Read full article

    Keywords: diabetic foot ulcer, vascular insufficiency, immune response, microbial dysbiosis, bioengineered skins, Abdullah Al-Rubaish, Mohammed Al-Rubaish, Ahmad Al-Rubaish

    Human Wound Burden 2025 Compendium



    Human Wound and Its Burden: Updated 2025 Compendium of Estimates

    Summary: This annual compendium updates the global chronic wound burden: 10.5M Medicare beneficiaries affected (1 in 6), costing $22.5B/year, with U.S. total spend at $148.65B (2022, projected $160B+ in 2025). Recurrence from incomplete barrier restoration (TEWL not normalized) drives 50% reopenings. Policy wins: CMS doubled skin substitute apps (4→8), extended windows to 16 weeks, and mandated lymphedema coverage ($1.3-1.5B savings/10 years). Telehealth meta-analysis (n=2,397) shows 30% faster healing, ↓ amputations/pain. Tech: Bioengineered skins cut time 20-30%; ML for biofilms; multiomics biomarkers (FOSL1). Calls for holistic Wound Balance Framework and federal funding boost.

    Key Highlights:

    • U.S. Stats: 53.1M diabetics; 96M prediabetics; outpatient costs ↓ to $2.5B (2019) but physician office ↑ to $4.1B.
    • Global: U.S. leads ($148B), China/Japan $42B/$23B; 38% adult prediabetes.
    • Policy: Better Wound Care at Home Act funds dNPWT; caregiver training expansion.
    • Tech: SEM-Weka for biofilms; AI predicts amputation risk; telehealth sensitivity 93-100%.
    • Authors: Sen CK, Mustoe T, Gurtner GC et al.

    Read full compendium

    Keywords: chronic wound burden, 2025 estimates, Medicare costs, telehealth, skin substitutes, CK Sen, T Mustoe, GC Gurtner

    Biomarkers in Wound Healing



    Biomarkers in Wound Healing

    Summary: This chapter synthesizes biomarkers across wound healing phases: hemostasis (PDGF, thrombin), inflammation (IL-1β, TNF-α, MMPs), proliferation (VEGF, EGF, TGF-β), remodeling (TIMPs, collagen I). In chronic wounds/DFUs, persistent inflammation (↑ cytokines), proteolytic imbalance (↑ MMPs), growth factor deficits, and biofilms stall repair. Biomarkers enable differentiation acute/chronic, therapy monitoring, outcome prediction, and personalized interventions (e.g., protease modulators for high MMPs). Advances in detection (POC tests, proteomics) shift wound care to predictive precision.

    Key Highlights:

    • Phases: Hemostasis (PDGF), inflammation (IL-6/TNF-α/CRP), proliferation (VEGF/PDGF), remodeling (TIMPs/collagen I).
    • Chronic Disruptions: ↑ cytokines/MMPs, ↓ growth factors, biofilms → delayed healing.
    • Applications: Monitor efficacy (MMP ↓ post-debridement), predict risk (high mediators), guide infection surveillance.
    • Future: Metabolic profiling/proteomics for novel targets; POC for real-time decisions.
    • Authors: Tintswalo N. Mgwenya, Phumlane S. Mdluli

    Read full open-access chapter

    Keywords: wound biomarkers, chronic wounds, DFU, inflammation, precision, Tintswalo N Mgwenya, Phumlane S Mdluli

    Nonhealing Wound Debridement Using a Finger-Mounted Debridement Tool



    Nonhealing Wound Debridement Using a Finger-Mounted Debridement Tool

    Summary: Prospective single-arm pilot (n=11 patients, 12 chronic wounds: venous, surgical, PI, DFU) evaluated DigiTouch finger-mounted debridement tool (Medline). Procedure time 43s; effective slough/biofilm/fibrin removal; wounds showed bleeding surface post-debridement. Clinicians rated ease/access 5/5 (superior to traditional); patients low pain (67% 0/10), preferred tool (89%). No AEs; minimal bleeding. Demonstrates feasibility for precise, patient-friendly debridement in hard-to-reach areas.

    Key Highlights:

    • Wounds: Mean area 9 cm²; 92% no/minimal bleeding post.
    • Efficacy: Slough (8), biofilm (5), fibrin (7) removed.
    • Satisfaction: Clinicians 5/5 ease; patients 78% faster/89% easier.
    • Safety: No excessive bleeding/infection.
    • Author: Elvis Castillo-Garcia.

    Read full pilot

    Keywords: finger mounted debridement, DigiTouch, chronic wounds, pilot study, patient satisfaction, Elvis Castillo-Garcia

    Expectation Versus Reality in Chronic Wound Care



    Expectation Versus Reality in Chronic Wound Care

    Summary: February 2026 commentary examines the disconnect between expectations and realities in chronic wound management. Ideal: Fast healing, complete closure, minimal scarring, low recurrence with standard care. Reality: Influenced by comorbidities (diabetes, vascular disease, malnutrition), biofilm/infection, patient factors (adherence, mobility), and wound chronicity—leading to prolonged treatment, high recurrence (e.g., 70% in VLUs within 1 year), and amputation risks in DFUs. Discusses clinician/patient frustrations from unmet expectations, over-reliance on “miracle” products, and underestimation of systemic issues. Recommends realistic goal-setting (e.g., percentage area reduction, pain control, infection prevention), multidisciplinary teams (wound specialists, vascular, nutrition, podiatry), evidence-based advanced therapies (synthetics, biologics, NPWT), patient education (lifestyle, adherence), and longitudinal monitoring. Emphasizes QoL improvements over perfect closure; calls for better communication to align expectations and reduce burnout/dissatisfaction.

    Key Highlights:

    • Gap: Ideal rapid healing vs. real-world slow/recurrent progress.
    • Contributors: Comorbidities, biofilm, non-adherence.
    • Solutions: Realistic goals, multidisciplinary, education.
    • Relevance: Frames expectations for synthetic/innovative therapies in chronic wounds.

    Read commentary

    Keywords: chronic wound expectations, patient education, multidisciplinary care, recurrence rates

    Expectation Versus Reality in Chronic Wound Care



    Expectation Versus Reality in Chronic Wound Care

    Summary: February 2026 commentary examines the disconnect between expectations and realities in chronic wound management. Ideal: Fast healing, complete closure, minimal scarring, low recurrence with standard care. Reality: Influenced by comorbidities (diabetes, vascular disease, malnutrition), biofilm/infection, patient factors (adherence, mobility), and wound chronicity—leading to prolonged treatment, high recurrence (e.g., 70% in VLUs within 1 year), and amputation risks in DFUs. Discusses clinician/patient frustrations from unmet expectations, over-reliance on “miracle” products, and underestimation of systemic issues. Recommends realistic goal-setting (e.g., percentage area reduction, pain control, infection prevention), multidisciplinary teams (wound specialists, vascular, nutrition, podiatry), evidence-based advanced therapies (synthetics, biologics, NPWT), patient education (lifestyle, adherence), and longitudinal monitoring. Emphasizes QoL improvements over perfect closure; calls for better communication to align expectations and reduce burnout/dissatisfaction.

    Key Highlights:

    • Gap: Ideal rapid healing vs. real-world slow/recurrent progress.
    • Contributors: Comorbidities, biofilm, non-adherence.
    • Solutions: Realistic goals, multidisciplinary, education.
    • Relevance: Frames expectations for synthetic/innovative therapies in chronic wounds.

    Read commentary

    Keywords: chronic wound expectations, patient education, multidisciplinary care, recurrence rates

    Antibiotic-Loaded Bone Cement Significantly Improves Diabetic Foot Ulcer Outcomes

    Antibiotic-Loaded Bone Cement Significantly Improves Diabetic Foot Ulcer Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (March 2026) evaluated antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) — a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based sustained-release drug delivery system — for managing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Conducted by Xin Li and Zunhong Liang at Hainan Medical University, China, this is the most comprehensive synthesis to date, incorporating 22 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1,295 patients. ALBC delivers high local antibiotic concentrations directly to infected tissue, circumventing systemic side effects and overcoming biofilm resistance that undermines systemic therapy in patients with neuropathy, impaired perfusion, and immune dysfunction. Using random-effects modeling in R, the authors assessed wound healing time, clinical effective rate, hospitalization duration, surgical frequency, VAS pain scores, and amputation rate. ALBC significantly shortened wound healing time by a mean of 7.10 days, improved clinical effective rate more than fourfold (OR = 4.05), reduced hospital stay by 8.56 days, decreased surgical frequency, lowered pain scores (SMD = −1.29), and reduced amputation risk by 81% (OR = 0.19) — with zero heterogeneity in the amputation outcome. Subgroup analyses by antibiotic regimen (vancomycin, gentamicin, combination) showed consistent superiority across all categories. A key limitation: all 22 RCTs originated from China, restricting generalizability; the authors call for international multicenter trials.

    Key Highlights:

    • 22 RCTs, 1,295 patients: ALBC shortened wound healing by 7.10 days and improved clinical effective rate fourfold (OR = 4.05) vs. standard care
    • Amputation risk reduced 81% (OR = 0.19; I² = 0%) — the most consistent finding across all included studies
    • Hospital stay shortened by 8.56 days; fewer surgeries required; VAS pain scores significantly lower (SMD = −1.29)
    • Efficacy consistent regardless of antibiotic regimen — vancomycin, gentamicin, and combination therapy all outperformed controls
    • Mechanism: high local antibiotic concentrations overcome biofilm-associated infection; Masquelet technique combination promotes vascularized membrane formation
    • All studies China-based; authors call for international multicenter RCTs to establish global external validity

    Read full article

    Keywords: antibiotic-loaded bone cement, diabetic foot ulcer, osteomyelitis, amputation prevention, wound healing meta-analysis, local antibiotic delivery

    Xin Li, Zunhong Liang — Hainan Medical University / Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China

    Wound healing work presented at the RCP Innovation in

         Medicine Conference 2018 by Neem Biotech

     

    Neem Biotech, a South Wales based R&D pharmaceutical biotech working in the field of novel antimicrobial drug development, and the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre recently attended the Royal College of Physicians’ Innovation in Medicine Conference 2018 where Neem presented their data around wound-relevant biofilms.

     

    The promising laboratory data presented reinforces the role of quorum sensing inhibition in virulence factor regulation and biofilm disruption, with implications for management of antimicrobial resistance.

     

    Dr Graham Dixon, Neem’s CEO and Prof Keith Harding … read more

    Silver dressings improve diabetic wound healing without reducing bioburden

    Abstract:
    Introduction. Silver dressings are widely used in the treatment of chronic wounds to reduce bacterial bioburden. However, little is known about the mechanism of silver ions on the healing process. In this study, a mouse model of wound healing was used to examine the effect of silver dressings in normal and diabetic wounds.

     

    METHODS:
    Two 5-mm full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsal skin of diabetic BKS.Cg- m+/+Leprdb/J mice (experimental group) and wild type C57BL/6 mice (control group), and treated with either a silver or gauze dressing. Measurement of wound areas by digital planimetry demonstrated faster healing in the silver-treated wounds of both diabetic and control mice.

     

    RESULTS:
    Quantitative bacterial cultures showed a reduction of bioburden in silver-treated wounds in wild type mice. Unexpectedly, there was no decrease in bioburden in the silver-treated diabetic wounds compared to the control diabetic wounds, despite improved healing in the silver-treated diabetic wounds. Staphylococcus xylosus, a known biofilm producer, was the only bacteria identified in all the wounds. In vitro studies showed S. xylosus produced biofilms faster in higher glucose environments; this may explain the increased bioburden in the wounds in diabetic mice compared to wild type mice.

     

    CONCLUSION:
    The results demonstrate improved healing and reduced bioburden in normal wounds with silver dressings. In contrast, silver dressings improved healing in diabetic wounds despite no effect on bioburden, suggesting silver may have beneficial effects in addition to its antimicrobial properties.

    Original article from The National Library of Medicine (NLM) 

    Under the Off-Load: A Pilot Case Series to Identify Ideal Dressings to use Under Total Contact Casts (TCC)

    Michael S. Miller DO, • Lindsey Markey RN, BSN • Regina Yoder RN • Kevin Powers DPM• TCC Kits provided by M-Med

     

    Introduction:
    It is well stated in the literature that Total Contact Casting (TCC) is a standard of care for off-loading of neuropathic ulcers of the plantar surface. Another standard of care is to provide a moist wound healing environment. Evidence to support appropriate wound dressings under TCC is currently unavailable despite recognition that the wound environment and thus the amount of drainage changes as the wound progresses towards healing. This pilot case series of three patients with plantar based diabetic neuropathic ulcers uses two dressings, a five layer silicone foam with absorbent polymer and moisture retentive backing dressing (SF)* for low to moderate drainage and a non-adherent super-absorbent (SAP)† polymer dressing for moderate to high exudate levels.

     

    Clinical Problem:
    Many TCC kits include a generic, open-cell, polyurethane foam dressing (OCF). These dressings do not absorb or retain fluid in a moderate to high exudate environment which can lead to maceration and non-healing. Furthermore, due to the high moisture vapor transmission rate of OCF, wounds with low exudate may experience desiccation and result in the development of slough and biofilm.1

     

    Methods:
    This pilot case series evaluates the performance of two dressings under a TCC‡. The 1st dressing is a five-layer silicone foam with super-absorbent polymer and moisture retentive backing for low to moderately exuding wounds (SF)*. The 2nd dressing is a non-adherent absorbent (SAP)† polymer dressing for moderate to high exudate levels. A total of 3 Wounds were assessed, cleansed, debrided if necessary, categorized by exudate level, and TCC was applied for 7 days. The expected outcomes were to avoid maceration, increase in healthy granulation/epithelial tissue, and achieve maximum wear time of TCC.

     

    Results:
    All three of the pilot cases healed completely in acceptable time with no untoward complications. The important feature was that the changes in the amounts of drainage which were identified as the healing progressed were compensated for by changing the dressings based on the amounts of exudate identified. This effectively minimized associated peri-wound maceration, damage to the increasing granulation tissue and improved tolerance of their feet to the total contact casting.

     

    Conclusion:
    TCC kits should consider including dressings for low-moderate and moderate-high exudate and cease adding the one-dressing-fits-all generic foam into the kit. Additionally, although foam dressings are lumped into single category, their individual traits such at total volume handling, exudate retention, and MVTR have erratic variation in function. The SF in this case series exceeded expectation and can be a standard of care unless exudate overwhelms the dressing in the 7 day expected wear. At that time, SAP should be used in place of SF to manage high exudate. Our experience is that this combination of dressings progresses wounds towards healing, enhances the clinical benefits and wear time of TCC, and decreases the potential for wound healing complications.

     

    Case History 1
    45 year old Insulin-dependent diabetic male (IDDM) with a history of poor compliance presented with a plantar ulcer of 2 years duration. He had developed an acute Charcot’s Arthropathy, misdiagnosed as osteomyelitis and had surgery to remove “infected” bone. He had ongoing significant drainage with periwound skin maceration and no evidence of healing.    		 Course of Treatment:
    Aggressive debridement of the ulcer was performed with identified bone at the base of the ulcer. However, further workup did not demonstrate osteomyelitis. He was placed in a TCC and SAP used due to concerns about the excessive drainage. With the drainage controlled, maceration resolved and offloading successfully managed, he went on to heal completely.
    Case History 2
    64 year old IDDM with a history of a Diabetic Neuropathic foot ulcer of the plantar heel. He had undergone surgery years before leaving him with a soft tissue deformity predisposing him to recurrent ulcers.    		 Cource of Treatment
    An aggressive debridement was performed with no bone exposure noted. He had moderate serous drainage from the ulcer and so SF was used to control the drainage without creating a dry wound base. TCC was performed weekly with changes of the SF dressing. With the drainage controlled and offloading accomplished, he went on to heal completely.
    Case History 3
    A 64 year old female with advanced rheumatoid arthritis and foot deformity presented with a 6 month history of a nonhealing ulcer of the right plantar foot. A surgery to correct this had incisional dehiscence. Topical dressings and an offloading boot were previously used unsuccessfully.    		 Course of Treatment
    An aggressive debridement was performed with no bone exposure noted. Her significant serous drainage was treated with SAP and TCC applied weekly for offloading. Over the next several weeks, the drainage decreased and the dressing was changed to SF due to decreasing wound drainage. With the drainage controlled and offloading in place, she went on to heal completely.

    References
    1. Hurlow J, Couch K, Laforet K, Bolton L, Metcalf D, Bowler P. (2015) “Clinical Biofilms: A Challenging Frontier in Wound Care”. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 4(5): 295–301.
    * KerraFoam is a registered trademark of Crawford Woundcare Ltd. † KerraMax Care is a registered trademark of Crawford Woundcare Ltd.
    ‡ Total Contact Casting Kits by M-Med, Mebane, NC., supplied at no charge for this case series.
    This poster abstract is funded and supported by Crawford Healthcare Inc.
    © Copyright Crawford Healthcare Ltd, 2016. This literature and product report is supported and funded by Crawford Healthcare Ltd. 2016

    If you find WoundCareWeekly.com of value please consider a monthly donation to help cover expenses and keep this website going.

     

    Biocomposites to present data on STIMULAN® and genex® at ECCMID 2022

    Research findings from two studies demonstrate the antimicrobial effectiveness of STIMULAN® and genex®, when mixed with antibiotics

     

    KEELE, England, April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Biocomposites, an international medical devices company that engineers, manufactures and markets world leading products for use in infection management in bone and soft tissue, today announces the acceptance of two posters at the 32nd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) being held in Lisbon, Portugal on 23-26 April 2022. The company’s in-vitro research findings demonstrate the antimicrobial effectiveness of both STIMULAN® and genex® when mixed with antibiotics.

     

    The first abstract demonstrates that STIMULAN® beads containing vancomycin and gentamicin were able to inhibit bacterial growth, when applied to tissue taken from diabetic foot infections, with zone of inhibition diameters ranging from 12-40mm.

     

    The second abstract demonstrates the ability of genex® when mixed with combinations of vancomycin/gentamicin and vancomycin/tobramycin to prevent the formation of bacterial biofilms by MRSA, S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa for up to 7 days on orthopaedic implant materials.

     

    Both studies were co-authored by Julie Fletcher from the University of Exeter whom Biocomposites first funded in 2017 through the Daphne Jackson Trust, the UK’s leading organisation and independent registered charity dedicated to realising the potential of returners to research careers following a career break.

     

    Dr Julie Fletcher, Research Fellow, The University of Exeter, said: “This research highlights the potential to use STIMULAN to achieve high local concentrations of antibiotic within poorly vascularised tissue to inhibit bacterial growth at a wound site, with the possibility of facilitating clearance of bacterial infection and improving wound outcomes. The genex research shows the potential to use genex as a carrier of antibiotics to prevent the formation of bacterial biofilm for up to 7 days on orthopaedic implants.”

     

    Michael Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Biocomposites, added: “By presenting this new data at this important annual congress, we are pleased to further support the vital research being carried out by leading scientists. STIMULAN and genex are valuable tools for a surgeon and together help over 65,000 patients every year.”

     

    STIMULAN® is the only calcium matrix antibiotic carrier approved to treat bacterial infection in surrounding soft tissue in Canada and for use in bone and soft tissue in EU, UK, and Saudi Arabia. STIMULAN® offers surgeons the flexibility to apply broad spectrum ‘off-the-shelf’ antibiotics at concentrations that will support their patient-specific treatment plans – dramatically improving patient outcomes and redefining standard of care.

     

    genex is a biphasic composite of exceptional purity that is specifically formulated to balance osteoconductive scaffold strength and persistence in the body to enable the optimal remodelling of bone architecture.

     

    About Biocomposites

    Biocomposites is an international medical device company that engineers, manufactures and markets world leading products for use in infection management in bone and soft tissue. Based in Keele, UK, it has global operations across Europe, USA, Canada, China and India. Biocomposites is a world leader in the development of innovative calcium compounds for surgical use. Its products target a broad spectrum of infection risks across a variety of specialties, including musculoskeletal infection, orthopaedics, trauma, spine, foot and ankle and podiatry. Biocomposites products are now used in over 120,000 procedures per annum and sold in more than 40 countries around the world. Please visit biocomposites.com to learn more.

     

    This article was originally published here

    Quick Guide: Cutimed® Sorbact® and Antimicrobial Stewardship



    Quick Guide: Cutimed® Sorbact® and Antimicrobial Stewardship

    Summary:** This free quick guide from Wounds UK and BSN Medical details Cutimed Sorbact dressings’ role in antimicrobial stewardship for chronic wounds, using a bacterial binding mechanism to remove biofilms without antimicrobials, reducing infection risks in DFUs and VLUs. It covers application, evidence (e.g., 70% bacterial reduction), and stewardship principles like delayed antibiotic use, supporting NHS guidelines for waste reduction and resistance prevention.

    Key Highlights:

    • Mechanism: Sorbact technology binds bacteria via hydrophobic interactions, removing 2.4 log10 CFU in vitro.
    • Evidence: RCTs show 50% faster healing in colonized wounds; no resistance development.
    • Stewardship: Aligns with NICE; delays systemic antibiotics, reduces hospital stays 20%.
    • Application: For low-moderate exudate; change 2-7 days; compatible with NPWT.
    • Download: Free PDF with protocols for DFU/VLU management.

    Read full article

    Keywords: Cutimed Sorbact, antimicrobial stewardship, biofilm removal, chronic wounds, resistance prevention

    DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF POINT-OF-CARE FLUORESCENCE IMAGING FOR THE DETECTION OF

    BACTERIAL BURDEN IN WOUNDS

    High bacterial load contributes to chronicity of wounds and is diagnosed based on assessment of clinical signs and symptoms (CSS) of infection, but these characteristics are poor predictors of bacterial burden. Point-of-care fluorescence imaging (FL) can improve identification of wounds with high bacterial burden (>104 CFU/g). FL detects bacteria, whether planktonic or in biofilm, but does not distinguish between the two. In this study, diagnostic accuracy of FL was compared to CSS during routine wound assessment … read more

    Latest Clinical Evidence Presented at SAWC 2021 Illustrates the Significant Clinical Utility of the MolecuLight Point-of-Care …

    Imaging Platform
    7 Clinical Posters and Presentations Highlight the Breadth of Clinical Benefits
    of the MolecuLight Device for Wound Care Applications

    TORONTO and LAS VEGAS, Oct. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – MolecuLight Inc., the leader in point-of-care fluorescence imaging for real-time detection of wounds containing elevated bacterial loads, announces the presentation of 7 clinical posters and presentations at the Symposium of Wound Care (SAWC) Fall 2021, held from October 29 – 31, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. SAWC is one of the largest multidisciplinary meetings of wound care professionals.

    Latest Clinical Evidence Presented at SAWC 2021 Illustrates the Significant Clinical Utility of the MolecuLight Point-of-Care Imaging Platform (CNW Group/MolecuLight)
    Latest Clinical Evidence Presented at SAWC 2021 Illustrates the Significant Clinical Utility of the MolecuLight Point-of-Care Imaging Platform (CNW Group/MolecuLight)

    “We are thrilled to have so many customers presenting their impressive clinical findings at this year’s SAWC Fall conference”, says Anil Amlani, MolecuLight’s CEO. “The clinical topics being presented span the wound care continuum, from improved wound assessment and treatment planning, to monitoring of wound cleaning and debridement efficacy, and the resulting improvement in wound healing rates. Presenters will also describe detection and treatment of wound-related cellulitis, and findings from the recently published Delphi consensus-based guidelines for the use of the MolecuLight platform. The outcomes presented in these studies illustrate the significant clinical improvements to wound care provided to clinicians by the MolecuLight i:X“.

    A submission on MolecuLight by Dr. Charles A. Andersen was one of the top scoring abstracts out of more than 200 submissions. This is the fifth consecutive SAWC meeting at which an abstract on improved patient care achieved through use of the MolecuLight i:X has received this honour.

    The 5 clinical posters and 2 presentations featuring the MolecuLight i:X from SAWC Fall 2021 are as follows:

    Poster #CR-005
    12-Week RCT Evaluating Impact of Routine Fluorescence Imaging of Bacteria on DFU Healing Rates
    Alisha Oropallo, MD¹, Scott Gawlik DPM¹, Dean Vayser, MD²
    ¹Northwell Comprehensive Wound Health Center and Hyperbarics, Lake Success NY,
    ²ILD Research Centre, San Diego, CA
     Download poster

    Poster #CR-006
    Cleansing Techniques for Wound Hygiene: Which Are Most Effective?
    Alisha Oropallo, MD1, Amit Rao MD1, Jai Joshi1
    1Northwell Comprehensive Wound Health Center and Hyperbarics, Lake Success NY 
     Download poster

    Poster #LR-025
    Detection of bacterial fluorescence from in vivo wound biofilms using a point-of-care
    fluorescence imaging device
    Andrea J. Lopez1, Laura M. Jones2, Landrye Reynolds1, Rachel C. Diaz1, Isaiah K. George1, William Little1, Derek Fleming3,4, Anna D’souza2, Kendra Rumbaugh3, Allie Clinton Smith1, Monique Y. Rennie2
    1Department of Honors Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX, USA; 2MolecuLight Inc. Toronto, ON Canada; 3Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; 4Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 
     Download poster

    Poster #CR-020
    Are Semi-quantitative Clinical Cultures Inadequate? Comparison to Quantitative Analysis of 1053 Bacterial Isolates from 350 Wounds
    Thomas E. Serena1, Phil Bowler2, Gregory Schultz3, Anna D’souza4, Monique Rennie4
    1    SerenaGroup Research Foundation, Cambridge MA USA; 2Phil Bowler Consulting, Warrington UK; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, FL, USA; 4MolecuLight Inc. Toronto 
     Download poster

    Poster #PI-003
    Guidelines for point-of-care fluorescence imaging for detection of wound bacterial burden based on Delphi consensus
    Charles A. Andersen¹, Alisha R. Oropallo², Raymond Abdo³, Jenny Hurlow⁴, Martha R Kelso⁵, M. Mark Melin⁶ and Thomas E. Serena⁷
    1Madigan Army Medical Center, Renton WA; 2. Zucker School of Medicine Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY; 3St. Louis Foot & Ankle LLC, St. Louis MO; 4Consultant Wound Care Practitioner, Memphis TN; 5Wound Care Plus LLC, Blue Springs MO; 6M Health Fairview, Edina MN; 7SerenaGroup Research Foundation, Cambridge MA
          Download poster

    Oral Presentation & Poster #PI-002
    Diagnosis and Treatment of the Invasive Extension of Bacteria (Cellulitis) from Chronic Wounds Utilizing Point-of-Care Fluorescence Imaging
    Charles Andersen¹, Katherine McLeod¹, Rowena Steffan¹
    ¹Vascular/Endovascular/Limb Preservation Surgery Service, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint base Lewis-McChord, WA USA
     Download poster

    Podium Presentation
    Innovation Spotlight: Shining a Light on Bold Ideas in Wound Care
    Charles Andersen¹
    ¹Vascular/Endovascular/Limb Preservation Surgery Service, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint base Lewis-McChord, WA USA

    In additional to the clinical posters and presentations at SAWC (Symposium on Advanced Wound Care) Fall 2021, the recently launched MolecuLightDX will be available for demonstration in the MolecuLight booth #439 in the Exhibit Hall at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    About MolecuLight Inc.

    MolecuLight Inc., a privately-owned medical imaging company that has developed and is commercializing its proprietary fluorescent imaging platform technology in multiple clinical markets. MolecuLight’s suite of commercially released devices, including the MolecuLight i:X® and DX™ fluorescence imaging systems and their accessories, provide point-of-care handheld imaging devices for the global wound care market for the real-time detection of wounds containing elevated bacterial burden (when used with clinical signs and symptoms) and for digital wound measurement. The company is also commercializing its unique fluorescence imaging platform technology for other markets with globally relevant, unmet needs including food safety, consumer cosmetics and other key industrial markets.

    Download for Image:

    SOURCE MolecuLight

    Related Links

    www.moleculight.com

    4 leading surgeons discuss surgical wound infections (video)

    Medtech company Next Science has released video of a popular panel discussion it sponsored at the recent AAOS Annual Meeting. The 28-minute video can be viewed below or on youtube

    The presentation, “Biofilm and Surgical Site Infections,” features insights from four leading orthopedic surgeons:
    – Dr. Robert M. Harris, Hughston Clinic (Columbus, GA)
    – Dr. Jon E. Minter, Northside Hospital (Atlanta, GA)
    – Dr. Randall Otto, SSM Health (St. Louis, MO)
    – Dr. Ravi K. Bashyal, NorthShore University Hospital (Chicago, IL)
    Each year, there are about 1.5 million surgical site infections (SSIs) in the U.S., and patients with SSIs are five times more likely to be readmitted and twice as likely to die. SSIs also contribute an additional $3.5 billion annually to the cost of healthcare.

    MolecuLight i:X® Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for the Device’s Ability to Detect Wounds Likely to Contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)

    admin

    New FDA Clearance Illustrates the Utility of the i:X to Reliably Predict Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Bacterial Pathogen that Precludes Wound Healing and Often Evades Conventional Treatment Methods

     

    TORONTO, CANADA – (September 23 2021) MolecuLight Inc., the leader in point-of-care fluorescence imaging for real-time detection of wounds containing elevated bacterial loads, announces that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for the detection of wounds containing clinically significant levels (>104 CFU/g) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) for the previously cleared MolecuLight i:X imaging device.  The i:X device visualizes fluorescence, enabling the point-of-care detection of wounds containing elevated levels of bacteria. This new FDA clearance supports the ability of the i:X device to increase the clinician’s ability to detect the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in wounds using the cyan fluorescence signal.  This augmented labeling is based on a detailed retrospective statistical analysis of over 350 patients.

     

    Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a common bacterial pathogen that precludes wound healing. PA is notorious for its intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics and its tendency to form biofilm matrices that evade antibiotics and other conventional treatment methods1. The presence of PA in wounds is associated with rapid deterioration and more severe wound outcomes 2,3. The MolecuLight i:X is the only imaging device that provides real-time information on whether a wound is likely to contain elevated levels of PA (>104 CFU/g). The i:X is becoming an essential tool for assisting in clinician decision-making regarding the assessment and treatment of wounds.

     

    Image and video courtesy of Dot Weir

    “Bacterial removal is a critical component of wound care and wound healing. The ability of the MolecuLight i:X to detect and visualize wounds containing elevated bacterial burden while we are with the patient enables a proactive and objective approach to wound management”, says Dot Weir, RN, CWON, CWS, Clinician at Saratoga Hospital Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine, Saratoga Springs, New York and Co-Chair of SAWC, the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care. “Wounds harboring Pseudomonas often require unique treatments. This new FDA clearance recognizes the added benefit of the i:X in visualizing and differentiating Pseudomonas aeruginosa in wounds through the cyan fluorescence signal it produces on the images. This is especially important because detecting the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the point-of-care allows wound care professionals to act immediately to tailor our cleaning, debridement, antimicrobial strategy and treatments accordingly.”

     

    This video showing the cleansing of a diabetic foot ulcer is an example of the MolecuLight i:X’s cyan fluorescence signal indicating the likely presence of PA. The cyan is clearly visible on the patient’s foot (see image) as well as on the gauze after cleansing, indicating that the wound contains clinically significant (>104 CFU/g) levels of PA:

    Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5YiT4zTUL8
    References
    1 Raizman et al., “Rapid Diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Wounds with Point-of-Care Fluorescence Imaging“, Diagnostics 2021, 11(2), 280

    2Turner et al., “Requirements for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acute Burn and Chronic Surgical Wound Infection”, PLoS Genet. 2014, 10, e1004518

    3McManus et al., “Twenty-five-year review of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia in a burn center”, Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. 1985, 4, 219–223

     

    About MolecuLight Inc.

    MolecuLight Inc., a privately-owned medical imaging company that has developed and is commercializing its proprietary fluorescent imaging platform technology in multiple clinical markets. MolecuLight’s first commercially released device, the MolecuLight i:X fluorescence imaging system and its accessories provide a point-of-care handheld imaging device for the global wound care market for the detection of wounds containing elevated bacterial burden (when used with clinical signs and symptoms) and for digital wound measurement. The company is also commercializing its unique fluorescence imaging platform technology for other markets with globally relevant, unmet needs including food safety, consumer cosmetics and other key industrial markets.

     

    For more information, contact:

    Rob Sandler                                               

    Chief Marketing Officer

    MolecuLight Inc.
    T. +1.647.362.4684

    rsandler@moleculight.com

    www.moleculight.com

     

    Image: Download at: https://moleculight.box.com/s/b4d44tv25dq5wr834ilx7ldiqzl1orxi
    Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5YiT4zTUL8

    Next Science: Products that help treat wounds

    Founded by scientist Matthew Myntti, the company develops products to reduce biofilm-based infections, which can be fatal.

    As a scientist at Medtronic’s Jacksonville office working on chronic infections, Matthew Myntti said he began to understand the life-threatening nature of chronic wounds, and the infections that come with them.

    He left the medical technology company in 2012 to start his own research focused on treating chronic wounds and keeping them from becoming infected … read more

    A multi‐centre, single‐blinded randomised controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of resorbable glass fibre matrix in the treatment of DFUs

    Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent one of the many complications of long-standing diabetes.1 Not only are these wounds expensive to treat, with a recent systematic review showing that the mean cost was over $31 000 in 2015,2, 3 but complications, especially infection, can require prolonged antibiotic administration, deep and extensive debridement, and lower extremity amputations when these measures fail. Even relatively shallow (UT1A, Wagner 1) DFUs that do not respond to standard of care (SOC) are at risk for amputation of the affected area.2-5 This risk increases for patients who have had prior DFUs or amputations. Any product, therefore, that can prevent infection or disrupt biofilm while promoting wound healing in a moist environment is worthy of further investigation … read more

    First-of-Its-Kind Virtual Workshop to Offer Hands-on Skills Practice in Its Live Coverage of Wound Hygiene Principles

    Malvern, PA – July 30, 2021 – WoundCon, the first and largest global virtual wound care conference, is proud to announce a new and innovative live event that is free to attend and offers 5.25 CME/CE credits. Biofilm-Based Wound Care is a virtual, hands-on skills workshop that will be presented with closed captioning in eight languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, German, Polish and English.

    The workshop will take place on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 7:00AM to 3:50PM EDT and will be available on-demand for two weeks after the event … read more

    The role of non-medicated dressings for the management of wound infection

    There is growing concern regarding the treatment of infection, caused by the rise of antimicrobial resistance. This position document looks at current treatment approaches to identifying and treating biofilm in wounds, focusing on the mechanism of action and role of non-medicated wound dressings (NMWDs) within antimicrobial stewardship practices and evidence that supports their effectiveness … Download

    When Should I Perform Point-of-Care Fluorescence Imaging of Wound Bioburden? Guidelines Based on Delphi Consensus

    Bacteria and biofilm plague chronic wounds, impair the healing process, and can increase the risk of infection and antibiotic overprescribing. Fluorescence imaging of bacterial burden (MolecuLight i:X) is the only point-of-care solution to visualize the presence of significant bacterial burden in wounds. This information, when added to standard of care, supports informed clinical decision making and more proactive bacterial management practices. This point-of-care imaging technology is quickly becoming a standard in wound care … View webinar start time in your timezone.

    When Should I Perform Point-of-Care Fluorescence Imaging of Wound Bioburden? (webinar)

    Bacteria and biofilm plague chronic wounds, impair the healing process, and can increase the risk of infection and antibiotic overprescribing. Fluorescence imaging of bacterial burden (MolecuLight i:X) is the only point-of-care solution to visualize the presence of significant bacterial burden in wounds. This information, when added to standard of care, supports informed clinical decision making and more proactive bacterial management practices. This point-of-care imaging technology is quickly becoming a standard in wound care … View webinar start time in your timezone

    Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) in the Microbiological Diagnostic of Deep Sternal Wound Infection (DSWI)

    Postoperative mediastinitis after cardiac surgery is still a devastating complication. Insufficient microbiological specimens obtained by superficial swabbing may only detect bacteria on the surface, but pathogens that are localized in the deep tissue may be missed. The aim of this study was to analyze deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) samples by conventional microbiological procedures and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in order to discuss a diagnostic benefit of the culture-independent methods and to map spatial organization of pathogens and microbial biofilms in the wounds … –

    US military explores microbiology of combat wounds

    To help improve the care of troops injured in combat, the United States military has been exploring the complex microbiology of combat wounds … The goal of the initiative “is to expand the understanding of the complex microbiology inherent within combat-related extremity wounds,” according to Katrin Mende, PhD … Biofilm formation in 376 Enterococcus wound isolates was found to be generally weak — 8.8% in the presence of human plasma and 1.9% in the absence of human plasma, Mende and colleagues reported … read more

    Clay fights MRSA, other ‘superbugs’ in wounds

    The use of mud or wet clay as a topical skin treatment, or poultice, is a common practice in many cultures. In fact, the concept of using mud as medicine goes back to the earliest times.

     

    Now, Arizona State University (ASU) and Mayo Clinic researchers have found that one type of clay, Oregon blue clay, may help fight disease-causing bacteria in wounds, including treatment-resistant bacteria. Their findings appear in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.

     

    “The study is an important advance in understanding how clays, specifically blue clay from Oregon, have shown medicinal properties by attaching to pathogenic bacteria,” says Enriqueta Barrera, a program director in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Division of Earth Sciences, which funded the research.

     

    The scientists identified certain clays that kill bacteria, including many drug-resistant pathogens.

     

    “Working with Mayo Clinic, we showed that these clays also diminish populations of bacterial biofilms, as well as bacteria common in wounds that are more resistant to drugs,” says biogeochemist Lynda Williams of ASU, a co-author of the study. “The results support our efforts to design new antibacterial drugs using natural clays.” … read more

    Under the Off-Load: A Pilot Case Series to Identify Ideal Dressings

         to use under Total Contact Casts (TCC)

     

    Introduction: It is well stated in the literature that Total Contact Casting (TCC) is a standard of care for off-loading of neuropathic ulcers of the plantar surface. Another standard of care is to provide a moist wound healing environment. Evidence to support appropriate wound dressings under TCC is currently unavailable despite recognition that the wound environment and thus the amount of drainage changes as the wound progresses towards healing. This pilot case series of three patients with plantar based diabetic neuropathic ulcers uses two dressings, a five layer silicone foam with absorbent polymer and moisture retentive backing dressing (SF)* for low to moderate drainage and a non-adherent super-absorbent (SAP)† polymer dressing for moderate to high exudate levels.

     

    Clinical Problem: May TCC kits include a generic, open-cell, polyurethane foam dressing (OCF). These dressings do not absorb or retain fluid in a moderate to high exudate environment which can lead to maceration and non-healing. Furthermore, due to the high moisture vapor transmission rate of OCF, wounds with low exudate may experience desiccation and result in the development of slough and biofilm … read more

    The use of Prontosan® in combination with Askina® Calgitrol®

    An independent case series

    Many patients with chronic wounds will develop infection (Landis et al, 2007; Sibbald et al, 2011). Worldwide consensus on the specific use of silver antimicrobials recommends that silver dressings should be used initially for a ‘two-week challenge’ (Wounds International, 2012). Sixteen different individual case studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of a biofilm remover/cleanser in gel form, Prontosan® (B Braun), together with the use of an ionic releasing silver alginate, Askina® Calgitrol® Paste (B Braun) or Askina® Calgitrol® Thin (B Braun), when used on infected wounds. This study was completed in an advanced wound management centre in Pretoria, South Africa, during 2016.  Selection criteria included wounds showing clinical signs of infection with delayed healing for more than 2 weeks. The study results showed that 50% of the wounds’ clinical signs of infection resolved within the 2-week antimicrobial challenge and by week 3, 81% of all clinical signs resolved. Ninety-three per cent of the wounds had improved wound progress and healing .. read more

     

     

    Clinical Challenges in Diagnosing Infected Wounds

    Given the impact of infection on delayed wound healing, determining the presence of colonization and infection is imperative to achieving healed outcomes. Chronic wounds are always contaminated, and timely implementation of management and treatment interventions is a key component of the plan of care.

     

    Diagnosis of infection can be a very challenging task to say the least, and it is further complicated by the presence of biofilms for which no diagnostic tool is currently available. If not addressed in a timely manner, these local infections can become systemic, leading to sepsis, multiple organ failure, and death. The first steps are a complete and thorough history and a physical examination of the whole patient, not just the patient’s wound, while taking into account both primary and secondary findings to understand the host response.

     

    Having a thorough understanding of the principles of chronic wound care and of the current diagnostic modalities available is essential to the improvement of clinical outcomes and cost reduction related to the complication of wound infection. Our focus is on the challenges to diagnosing wound infection, including accurately determining risk factors, differentiating colonization from infection, and understanding the gold standard for diagnosing wound infection … read more

    Prevent and manage wounds with this expert, all-inclusive resource! Acute & Chronic Wounds: Current Management Concepts, 5th Edition provides the latest diagnostic and treatment guidelines to help you provide quality care for patients with wounds. This textbook presents an interprofessional approach to maintaining skin integrity and managing the numerous types of skin damage including topics that range from the physiology of wound healing, general principles of wound management, vulnerable patient populations, management of percutaneous tubes, and specific care instructions to program development. Written by respected nursing educators Ruth Bryant and Denise Nix, this bestselling reference also provides excellent preparation for all wound certification exams.

     

    • A comprehensive approach to the care of patients with acute and chronic wounds guides students and health care providers to design, deliver and evaluate quality skin and wound care in a systematic fashion; the comprehensive approach includes the latest advances in diagnosis, differentiation of wound types, nutrition, prevention, treatment, and pharmacology.
    • Self-assessment questions and answers in each chapter help you assess your knowledge and prepare for all wound certification exams.
    • Checklists offer a concise, easy-to-read summary of the steps needed to achieve the best patient care outcomes.
    • Risk assessment scales help in determining a patient’s risk for developing a wound, and wound classification tools identify the proper terminology to be used in documentation.
    • Learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter focus your study on the most important content.
    • Principles for practice development boost outcomes and productivity in agencies and institutions, home care, acute care, long-term care, and long-term acute care settings.
    • NEW coverage includes the latest guidelines from WOCN, AAWC, NPUAP, EPUAP, and PPPIA, and the American College of Physicians.
    • New sections cover the prevention and management of biofilm, the new skin tear classification system, MASD and MARCI, CTP terminology and classification scheme, and integration of the Health Belief Model.
    • NEW! Additional full-color photographs show the differential diagnosis of types of skin damage, management of fistulas, and NPWT procedures.
    • NEW! Clinical Consult features help in applying concepts to clinical practice, showing students and health care professionals how to assess, manage, and document real-life patient and staff encounters using the ADPIE framework.
    • NEW two-color illustrations and design make the book more visually appealing.

    Clinical Challenges in Diagnosing Infected Wounds

    Given the impact of infection on delayed wound healing, determining the presence of colonization and infection is imperative to achieving healed outcomes. Chronic wounds are always contaminated, and timely implementation of management and treatment interventions is a key component of the plan of care.

     

    Diagnosis of infection can be a very challenging task to say the least, and it is further complicated by the presence of biofilms for which no diagnostic tool is currently available. If not addressed in a timely manner, these local infections can become systemic, leading to sepsis, multiple organ failure, and death. The first steps are a complete and thorough history and a physical examination of the whole patient, not just the patient’s wound, while taking into account both primary and secondary findings to understand the host response.

     

    Having a thorough understanding of the principles of chronic wound care and … read more

    Efficacy of Hydromechanical Therapy in Nonhealing, Chronic Wounds

    as a Cost- and Clinically Effective Wound Care Modality

    Chronic wounds pose a widespread challenge to health care, with many new, costly wound care modalities introduced in recent years with varying degrees of success. Bacterial biofilms have been postulated as one of the main culprits of the stagnation of chronic wound healing. For years, surgical fields have used pressurized irrigation for cleansing surgical wounds, but its utility in managing nonhealing chronic wounds has often been overlooked. Objective. In this case series, the authors aimed to demonstrate that hydromechanical therapy with pressurized irrigation can be a cost-effective and clinically effective wound care modality … read more

    The role of non-medicated dressings for the management of wound infection

    There is growing concern regarding the treatment of infection, caused by the rise of antimicrobial resistance. This position document looks at current treatment approaches to identifying and treating biofilm in wounds, focusing on the mechanism of action and role of non-medicated wound dressings (NMWDs) within antimicrobial stewardship practices and evidence that supports their effectiveness … read more

    DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF POINT-OF-CARE FLUORESCENCE IMAGING FOR THE DETECTION OF ….

    bacterial burden in wounds

    This excellent work from Le and coworkers strongly suggests that using a point of care diagnostic device (Moleculight) can identify elevated bacterial load and influence medical decision making … High bacterial load contributes to chronicity of wounds and is diagnosed based on assessment of clinical signs and symptoms (CSS) of infection, but these characteristics are poor predictors of bacterial burden. Point-of-care fluorescence imaging (FL) can improve identification of wounds with high bacterial burden (>104 CFU/g). FL detects bacteria, whether planktonic or in biofilm, but does not distinguish between the two … read more

     

    MolecuLight Featured in Unprecedented 32 Presentations and Posters at World Union of …

    Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) 2022 Conference
    NEWS PROVIDED BY

    MolecuLight
    Mar 01, 2022, 06:13 ET

     

    Wide-Spread Clinical Evidence using the MolecuLight i:X Platform Reveals its Significant Global Adoption and Proven Utility in Wound Care

     

    TORONTO and ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – MolecuLight Inc., the leader in point-of-care fluorescence imaging for real-time detection of wounds containing elevated bacterial loads, announces that its MolecuLight wound imaging platform is featured in an unprecedented 32 presentations and posters at at the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) 2022 Annual Conference, being hosted from March 1 – 5, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Held every 4 years, WUWHS is the largest global wound care conference with over 6,500 wound care professionals expected to attend in-person as well as virtually this week.

     

    “We are humbled by the number of clinicians globally that have made our MolecuLight point-of-care device an invaluable tool in their wound care practices,” says Anil Amlani, MolecuLight’s CEO. “The impressive collection of 32 talks and posters from so many facilities across 6 countries shows how the MolecuLight imaging device is becoming a new standard-of-care in wound care. This clinical evidence is echoed in the 55+ peer-reviewed publications that include data collected from over 1,400 patients, showing the significant benefit of the MolecuLight i:X® and DX™ to clinical wound assessment and practice.”

     

    “The evidence is definitive. The MolecuLight imaging platform is a “must have” device for wound care clinics. The abundance of published clinical evidence showing improvements in bioburden detection, better clinical decision making, and improved outcomes is clear validation for its medical necessity,” says Dr. Thomas Serena, the Founder and Medical Director of The SerenaGroup® and author and presenter of 15+ talks and posters featuring MolecuLight at WUWHS 2022. “There is real clinical benefit for using the MolecuLight alongside a broad range of wound care procedures, in all wound care settings. Evidence now proves that clinical signs and symptoms under perform and contribute to haphazard prescribing of antimicrobials and antibiotics. Used concurrently, information from MolecuLight images is flagging at risk wounds earlier. This leads to improved wound management, reduced antibiotic overprescribing, fewer infection complications, and faster healing.”

     

    The collection of 16 presentations and 16 posters featuring the MolecuLight imaging devices show how the devices inform clinical decision-making through the real-time detection of elevated bacterial burden in wounds. They span the wound care continuum, including detection of bacteria within biofilm, wound cleansing and hygiene, antimicrobial stewardship, and impact on detecting surgical site infections. They also include health economic benefits and wound healing results accelerated by RCT-accelerated findings. The results being presented illustrate the significant clinical improvements to wound care outcomes provided by the MolecuLight platform.

     

    A selection of the clinical posters and presentation featuring the MolecuLight i:X from World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) 2022 Annual Conference 2022 are as follows:

    (a)  Select Clinical Posters citing the MolecuLight point-of-care device include:

    • Uncovering the high prevalence of bacterial burden in surgical site wounds with point-of-care fluorescence imaging
      Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts et al., School of Biomedical Sciences, Pathology and Laboratory Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
      Download poster

    • The use of an advanced fluorescence imaging system to target wound debridement, decrease bioburden, improve healing rates, and provide positive revenues in an outpatient wound care setting
      Windy Cole, DPM et al., Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. Kent OH
      Download poster

    • RCT Evaluating Impact of Routine Fluorescence Imaging of Bacteria on DFU Healing Rates
      Alisha Oropallo, MD et al., Northwell Comprehensive Wound Health Center and Hyperbarics, Lake Success NY
      Download poster

    • Wound Assessment Paradigm Shift: A 350-Patient Multisite Clinical Trial Incorporating Bacterial Fluorescence Imaging into Standard of Care
      Thomas Serena MD FACS MAPWCA FACHM et al., SerenaGroup Research Foundation, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
      Download poster

    (b) Select Clinical Presentations citing the MolecuLight point-of-care device include:

    • Early detection of wound infection: advances in diagnostics
      Dr. Thomas Serena
      (Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 8:40 AM – 8:50 AM as part of Society Meeting – International Surgical Wound
      Complications Advisory Panel (ISWCAP)), Hall 4 (Part B)

    • Wound hygiene: which cleansing agents and techniques are most effective?
      Session #FC 05B – ID 205/(N)
      Alisha Oropallo, MD
      (Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM) Capital Suite 5

    • Tissue saving approach by guided debridement with fluorescence imaging – or how to treat a sternal surgical site infection with pseudomonas aeruginosa
      FC 78 – ID 275
      Heinrich Rotering, MD
      (Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 02:15 PM – 03:30 PM), Capital Suite 7

    • Optical detection of bacteria: changing the paradigm
      Dr. Thomas Serena
      (Saturday, March 5, 2022, 08:20 AM – 8:40 AM as part of Focus Session (FS) 17: Wound imaging), Hall 4 (Part B)

    The complete listing of the 32 presentations & posters is available here.

    In additional to the clinical posters and presentations at WUWHS 2022, the MolecuLight i:X® and DX™ imaging devices will be available for demonstration in the MolecuLight booth #A-06 in the Exhibit Hall at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    The MolecuLight i:X® and DX™ imaging systems are the only imaging devices for the real-time detection of elevated bacterial burden in wounds that are FDA cleared and CE and Health Canada Approved. With over 2,000 systems sold, they are commercially available and used by leading wound care facilities globally.

    About MolecuLight Inc.
    MolecuLight Inc. is a privately-owned medical imaging company that has developed and is commercializing its proprietary fluorescent imaging platform technology in multiple clinical markets. MolecuLight’s suite of commercially released devices, including the MolecuLight i:X® and DX™ fluorescence imaging systems and their accessories, provide point-of-care handheld imaging devices for the global wound care market for the real-time detection of wounds containing elevated bacterial burden (when used with clinical signs and symptoms) and for digital wound measurement. MolecuLight procedures performed in the United States can benefit from an available reimbursement pathway including two CPT® codes for physician work to perform “fluorescence wound imaging for bacterial presence, location, and load” and facility payment for Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) settings through an Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) assignment. The company is also commercializing its unique fluorescence imaging platform technology for other markets with globally relevant, unmet needs including food safety, consumer cosmetics and other key industrial markets.

    www.moleculight.com

    A Narrative Review of Cadexomer Iodine Ointment Versus Povidone Iodine Ointment

    Several iodine formulations have been used for wound care for ages, but still there exist a number of controversial issues regarding their uses in the present era. Many published studies are available for both povidone iodine (PI) and cadexomer iodine (CI) with conflicting outcomes due to different preparations used and different study types. PI has a broad spectrum of activity including antiseptic properties, anti-inflammatory properties, low cytotoxicity, and good tolerability with the absence of associated resistance. CI is an immobilized iodine molecule in a hydrophilic modified-starch polymer bead with the dual property of cleansing the wound by absorbing the exudate and bactericidal effect by sustained release of iodine molecules over the infected wound. The preparations comprising PI and CI improve wound healing and minimize the bacterial infestation or contamination in various chronic wounds, burns, and ulcers. This review narrates the comparison of CI and PI for the management of wounds in the context of biofilm reduction, wound size reduction, and granulation tissue promotion … read more

    The role of non-medicated dressings for the management of wound infection

    Author(s): Thomas Bjarnsholt, Val Edwards-Jones, Matthew Malone, Karen Ousey, Mark Rippon, Alan Rogers, Samantha Westgate, Sabine Eming, Isabelle Fromantin, Astrid Probst, Hans Smola, Hui-Mei Yang, Jiun-Ting Yeh, Steven Percival

     

    Every wound type has the potential to develop serious infection, which in some cases can lead to chronicity, bone infections, long-term disabilities or even death. Bacteria within a wound will exist in either planktonic or biofilm forms, with treatment mostly by use of topical antimicrobials or antibiotics. Alarmingly, there is growing concern regarding the treatment of infection, caused by the rise of antimicrobial resistance in many common bacterial pathogens and the misuse of antimicrobial agents … read more

    Electro-chemical bandages could be an effective alternative to antibiotics for managing wound infections

    According to new research by investigators at the Mayo Clinic and Washington State University, e-bandages could be an effective alternative to antibiotics for managing wound infections. The findings are presented at ASM Microbe 2022, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology … In a recent study conducted in mice, novel hydrogen peroxide producing bandages with electrical/chemical properties (electro-chemical bandages or e-bandages), under the control of wearable voltage devices, reduced methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm bacteria present in the wound by 99 percent after 2 days of treatment … read more

    MRSA in Wounds Reduced 99% by E-Bandages

    Electrochemical bandages (e-bandages) that contain hydrogen peroxide could be an effective alternative to antibiotics when managing wound infections, according to a presentation at ASM Microbe 2022, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology held in Washington, DC (abstract 2281) … Researchers from Mayo Clinic and Washington State University conducted experiments in mice. They created wounds on mice and infected them with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to establish wound MRSA biofilms … read more

    Sonoma Pharmaceuticals Introduces Next Generation Solution for Pulse Lavage Irrigation in the European Union

    BOULDER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 8, 2023 / Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNOA), a global healthcare leader developing and producing patented Microcyn® technology based stabilized hypochlorous acid (HOCl) products for a wide range of applications, including wound care, dermatology, and eye, oral and nasal care, today announced a new application for intraoperative pulse lavage irrigation treatment, which can replace commonly used IV bags in a variety of surgical procedures.

    Sonoma developed this new application of its wound care technology in response to an unmet need for a non-toxic irrigation solution that can prevent infection and improve healing time. The intraoperative pulse lavage container is designed to be used in combination with a pulse lavage irrigation device, or flush gun, for abdominal, laparoscopic, orthopedic, and periprosthetic procedures. This product replaces commonly used non-antimicrobial saline and aggressive rinsing solutions with safe and effective Microcyn® Technology. Microcyn® Technology assists in the reduction of microorganisms, is non-toxic, and has regenerative properties, making it critical in preventing infection and promoting wound healing. Sonoma’s pulse lavage container is also cost competitive with IV bags, the current standard of care.

    Sonoma developed the intraoperative pulse lavage irrigation treatment in close collaboration with the medical community and Sonoma’s existing distribution partners in Europe and expects this new application will be met with wide acceptance. Sonoma is now accepting orders for the pulse lavage irrigation treatment solution, which is expected to be ready for commercial use in Europe in September 2023. Sonoma anticipates commercial launch in the U.S. in 2024.

    “Sonoma continues to lead in the innovation of products that improve outcomes for people with wounds or injuries or who are needing surgery. We continue to see increased demand for our wound care products in Europe, and we are excited to expand our offerings to include this next generation irrigation solution to help people heal faster following surgery,” said Amy Trombly, CEO of Sonoma Pharmaceuticals.

    For more information, or to pre-order our pulse lavage irrigation treatment solution in Europe, please contact info.europe@sonomapharma.com.

    About Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    Sonoma Pharmaceuticals is a global healthcare leader for developing and producing stabilized hypochlorous acid (HOCl) products for a wide range of applications, including wound care, eye care, nasal care, oral care, dermatological conditions, animal health care and non-toxic disinfectants. The company’s products reduce infections, itch, pain, scarring and harmful inflammatory responses in a safe and effective manner. In-vitro and clinical studies of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) show it to have impressive antipruritic, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Sonoma’s stabilized HOCl immediately relieves itch and pain, kills pathogens and breaks down biofilm, does not sting or irritate skin, and oxygenates the cells in the area treated, assisting the body in its natural healing process. The company’s products are sold either directly or via partners in 55 countries worldwide and the company actively seeks new distribution partners. The company’s principal office is in Boulder, Colorado, with manufacturing operations in Guadalajara, Mexico. European marketing and sales are headquartered in Roermond, Netherlands. More information can be found at www.sonomapharma.com. For partnership opportunities, please contact busdev@sonomapharma.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Except for historical information herein, matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the commercial and technology progress and future financial performance of Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “company”). These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “continue,” “develop,” “anticipate,” “expect” and “expand,” among others. Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the company’s business that could cause actual results to vary, including such risks that regulatory clinical and guideline developments may change, scientific data may not be sufficient to meet regulatory standards or receipt of required regulatory clearances or approvals, clinical results may not be replicated in actual patient settings, protection offered by the company’s patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, the available market for the company’s products will not be as large as expected, the company’s products will not be able to penetrate one or more targeted markets, revenues will not be sufficient to meet the company’s cash needs, fund further development, as well as uncertainties relative to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic development, varying product formulations and a multitude of diverse regulatory and marketing requirements in different countries and municipalities, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    Sonoma Pharmaceuticals™ and Microcyn® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

    Media and Investor Contact:

    Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    ir@sonomapharmaceuticals.com

    SOURCE: Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    Histologics LLC Releases SoftBiopsy®+D, the Versatile Kylon® Fabric-Tipped Device for Wound Debridement or Tissue Biopsy Sampling

    ANAHEIM, Calif., July 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Histologics LLC attended “WOCNext” in Las Vegas last June 4-6th to exhibit its novel debridement and wound biopsy fabric-curettage devices including for the first time, the SoftBiopsy®+D device. Over 1M cases by clinicians used Kylon® devices for colposcopic biopsy and curettage in the USA, in nearly every clinical setting www.histologics.com. The hooked medical (Kylon®) fabric tipped brushes gently remove and can trap tissue for biopsy for histology or microbiology. The debridement may be performed at a lighter “hygiene” level, extending all the way to “excisional” surgical methods when the brush array converts to micro-curettes if the fabric is pressed firmly and wiped or twisted into tissue.

    Compassionate Alternative to Sharp Devices
    Compassionate Alternative to Sharp Devices

    Kylon® Fabric Debridement and Biopsy : Video Simulation

    The cause of some wounds not to heal includes biofilm, and the Kylon® fabric devices can be used to obtain true tangential biopsy samples from the debrided wound base for lab testing.  This is commonly done with the SoftBiopsy® product, solely used for biopsy that is sent to a laboratory. Histologics recently released SoftBiopsy®+D, a more versatile and durable version for clinicians, that can sustain longer procedure time for wound debridement as well as biopsy.

    We have previously demonstrated the value of our Soft K-Rette® device to debride and sample crevice wounds, and Soft K-Cot® deployed on the finger for “Compassionate Debridement at Your Fingertips®”.

    The scope of practice of most physicians and nurse clinicians vary from basic wound care to the most advanced surgical procedures where necrotic wound tissue must be mechanically or surgically removed.  Advanced and basic wound care providers include many specialties in health care and procedures occur in clinics, hospitals, homes, facilities and other settings. Some providers that shy away from regular debridement (necessary to heal wounds) due to the invasive nature of the scalpel and sharp curette would be willing to clean wounds using the gentle  Kylon® devices.

    Please visit our wound care website to request free samples at www.histologicwc.com,  or contact Lily Ramos at histologicswc@gmail.com, Toll Free:  888-235-2275.

    SOURCE Histologics LLC

    Improving Patient Outcomes With Integral Debridement

    Improving Patient Outcomes With Integral Debridement

    The May 2025 edition of WoundSource’s Practice Accelerator spotlights “Integral Debridement,” an advanced, evidence-based approach to wound bed preparation. This strategy combines multiple debridement modalities—such as sharp, enzymatic, mechanical, and antimicrobial techniques—tailored to the wound’s characteristics, patient comorbidities, and care setting. The goal is to enhance healing outcomes, particularly in complex or chronic wounds.

    Key Highlights:

    • Multimodal Synergy: Integral debridement leverages a combination of methods—including conservative sharp debridement, hypochlorous acid cleansing, and silver-impregnated dressings—to effectively remove necrotic tissue and biofilm, fostering a conducive environment for healing. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
    • Continuity Across Care Settings: This approach ensures consistent wound management throughout various care environments, from inpatient to home care, by employing tools like UrgoClean Ag dressings and Vashe® hypochlorous acid soaks that maintain debridement effects between clinical visits.
    • Patient-Centered Customization: Integral debridement emphasizes individualized care plans, considering factors such as wound type, patient pain tolerance, and overall health to select the most appropriate combination of debridement techniques.

    By adopting integral debridement, clinicians can address the multifaceted barriers to wound healing more effectively, leading to improved patient outcomes, reduced infection rates, and enhanced quality of life for those with complex wounds.

    Read the full article on the WoundSource website.

    Keywords:
    integral debridement,
    wound bed preparation,
    chronic wound management

    Case series of traumatic injuries to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aiodine™

    Aiodine™ for Traumatic Wounds: Enhanced Healing and Infection Control

    This case series, published March 26, 2025, in *Wounds International*, reports preliminary findings from four patients treated with **Aiodine™**, a novel topical iodine-based formulation. Conducted at Hainan Medical University’s Wound Department in China, the study highlighted accelerated wound healing and reduced infection in severe traumatic wounds.

    Key Highlights:

    • Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity: In vitro studies showed Aiodine™ achieves >5 log reduction against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in just 30 seconds.
    • Clinical Efficacy: All four patients—who had wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries, and necrotic lesions—demonstrated significant healing improvements within two weeks, with dramatic reductions in infection rates.
    • Excellent Tolerance: No adverse effects were reported. Patients experienced decreased wound discomfort and improved quality of life during treatment.
    • Next Steps Required: Authors recommend larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to confirm Aiodine™’s safety and effectiveness in broader wound care applications.

    Read the full case series and download the PDF: Wounds International – Aiodine™ Case Series.

    Keywords:
    Aiodine™,
    iodine antimicrobial,
    traumatic wound,
    wound infection,
    wound healing

    🔬 Spotlight: Aiodine™ – A New Era in Topical Antimicrobial Therapy

    Aiodine™ is a next-generation topical antimicrobial solution designed to rapidly eliminate bacteria while supporting wound healing. Unlike traditional iodine formulations, Aiodine™ delivers broad-spectrum bactericidal action with improved tissue compatibility and no reported cytotoxicity in early clinical use.

    What Sets It Apart?

    • Delivers a >5-log bacterial reduction in 30 seconds
    • Effective against antibiotic-resistant strains and biofilm-producing pathogens
    • Non-cytotoxic and well-tolerated, even on fragile wound beds
    • Supports granulation and epithelialization in complex or infected wounds

    Backed by early clinical results in traumatic and chronic wounds, Aiodine™ may offer a valuable alternative in settings where both infection control and tissue preservation are critical.

    Efficacy of Cytoreg in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Disease

    Efficacy of Cytoreg in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Disease

    A compassionate-use study evaluated Cytoreg—an investigational aqueous acid blend—administered orally and topically to patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) over 30 days.

    Key Highlights:

    • Study Design: Ten patients participated. All received oral Cytoreg; five also received weekly topical washes. Wound progress was tracked using the Saint Elian scoring system.
    • Healing Outcomes: In the oral + topical group, 4 of 5 patients achieved complete healing; the fifth lost necrotic tissue. In the oral-only group, 2 of 4 achieved complete healing.
    • Systemic Effects: Both groups showed significant rises in arterial hemoglobin and arterial oxygen partial pressure, along with reductions in HbA1c, liver enzymes, creatinine, and urea levels.
    • Safety & Justification: No major adverse events were noted. Findings support the need for larger, controlled trials.

    This preliminary study highlights Cytoreg’s potential to accelerate DFU closure and improve systemic laboratory markers—particularly when combined with topical application. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to validate efficacy and safety.

    Based on Carrillo et al., “Efficacy of Cytoreg in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Disease,” Journal of Wound Care (December 2024).

    Keywords: Cytoreg, diabetic foot ulcer, Saint Elian system, acid therapy, systemic oxygen

    Read the full article on Wound Central

    🔬 Spotlight: Acid-Based Therapies & Oxygen-Enhancing Adjuncts for DFUs

    With Cytoreg showing promise as both an oral and topical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, clinicians may look to similar agents that modulate tissue pH, promote oxygen delivery, or support wound debridement and granulation through biochemical means.

    • Granudacyn® (Mölnlycke): A hypochlorous-acid–based wound irrigation solution and gel. Offers antimicrobial action while supporting moist wound healing. Safe for long-term use and ideal for DFUs at risk of infection.
    • UrgoClean Ag® (Urgo Medical): Though not acid-based, this silver-reinforced fiber dressing helps modulate local bioburden and create a favorable wound pH microenvironment for DFU healing.
    • Topical Oxygen Therapy (e.g., NATROX®, Epiflo®): These devices deliver low-flow oxygen directly to the wound bed, enhancing angiogenesis and collagen synthesis. Similar to the systemic oxygenation improvements seen with Cytoreg in early studies.
    • pH-modulating gels (e.g., Wound pHarma prototypes): Still investigational, these are designed to shift chronic wound pH from alkaline to mildly acidic, restoring protease activity balance and promoting granulation.
    • Hydrochlorous Acid Sprays (e.g., Vashe®, Puracyn®): Used for wound cleansing and inflammation control. While not systemic, their acidic pH and antimicrobial profile support wound bed preparation—especially in biofilm-laden DFUs.

    Adjuncts that influence the wound’s chemical microenvironment—either through pH, oxygenation, or targeted biochemical pathways—are increasingly seen as critical tools alongside debridement and systemic support in diabetic foot ulcer management. Cytoreg’s dual administration model is an emerging concept worth watching as trials expand.

    A 12-Month Retrospective Review of Pressure Injury Plastic Surgical Flap Techniques …

    12-Month Review: Using Hypochlorous Acid Solution in Stage IV Pressure Injury Reconstruction

    A 2024 retrospective review at Tulane University examined outcomes in patients who underwent surgical reconstruction (plastic surgical flaps) for chronic stage IV pressure injuries over one year. Surgeons incorporated a pure hypochlorous acid (pHA) wound cleansing solution with indwelling irrigation prior to closure, alongside incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT).

    Study Details:

    • Patient Cohort: 13 individuals with 18 stage IV pressure injuries treated between October 2023 and September 2024.
    • Infection Monitoring: Intraoperative cultures were positive in 10 out of 18 wounds (55.6%).
    • Postoperative Complications: Only 1 patient (7.7%) experienced a bacteria-related complication requiring reoperation due to dehiscence.

    Clinical Takeaways:

    • Using pHA irrigation with a dwell time of 8–10 minutes, followed by iNPWT, appears to significantly reduce bacterial complications after flap reconstruction.
    • The low reoperation rate suggests that pHA is a promising adjunct in managing chronic, heavily contaminated stage IV injuries.
    • Supports integration of antimicrobial irrigation and negative pressure therapy in pressure injury flap protocols.

    This study highlights a cost-effective, evidence-based step toward reducing infections and improving outcomes in complex pressure injury reconstruction.

    Keywords:
    pure hypochlorous acid,
    stage IV pressure injury,
    plastic surgical flap,
    incisional negative pressure wound therapy,
    pHA irrigation

    Read the full study

    🔬 Spotlight: Innovations in Flap Reconstruction for Stage IV Pressure Injuries

    Effective closure of stage IV pressure injuries remains a surgical challenge due to bacterial contamination and poor tissue viability. Recent innovations are improving flap durability and reducing complications in high-risk patients.

    • Pure Hypochlorous Acid (pHA) Irrigation: Used intraoperatively, pHA solution offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial action without cytotoxicity. It disrupts biofilm and decreases bacterial load prior to surgical closure, helping reduce post-op infection rates.
    • Indwelling Irrigation Techniques: Extended dwell times (e.g., 8–10 minutes) with pHA enhance antimicrobial effect, ensuring deeper penetration into wound beds prior to flap reconstruction.
    • Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (iNPWT): Postoperative use of iNPWT over flap closures helps manage exudate, stabilize tissue planes, and improve perfusion—factors critical to reducing dehiscence and reoperation.
    • Adjuncts to Surgical Protocols: Combining pHA with iNPWT aligns with multimodal infection control protocols increasingly adopted in plastic and reconstructive surgery for pressure injuries and chronic wounds.

    As evidence accumulates, these combined approaches are poised to become standard practice—helping reduce costly flap failures and enhancing patient outcomes in complex wound reconstruction cases.

    Ultrasonic Mist in the Treatment of Nonhealing Wounds Webinar

    Ultrasonic Mist in the Treatment of Nonhealing Wounds: Mechanism, Evidence, and Outcomes (Webinar)

    Podiatry.com is hosting a free educational webinar on the use of ultrasonic mist therapy in the treatment of nonhealing wounds. The session will focus on how this low-frequency, noncontact modality facilitates wound healing through debridement, biofilm disruption, and improved perfusion.

    Webinar Highlights:

    • Topic: Mechanism, clinical evidence, and patient outcomes using ultrasonic mist in chronic and complex wounds.
    • Educational Goals: Understand the bioengineering principles of ultrasonic mist; evaluate supporting clinical data; learn proper clinical indications and protocols.
    • Target Audience: Podiatrists, wound care specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals involved in advanced wound management.
    • Access: The webinar is available on demand via Podiatry.com and offers continuing education credit for participants.

    Why It Matters: Ultrasonic mist therapy offers a painless, noncontact alternative for wound debridement, especially in cases involving fragile or nonresponsive wounds. The session aims to expand awareness and appropriate application in clinical practice.

    Keywords: ultrasonic mist, wound webinar, wound debridement, low-frequency ultrasound, noncontact therapy, advanced wound care

    View the webinar on Podiatry.com

    TIMERS: the race against hard to heal wounds

    TIMERS: The Race Against Hard-to-Heal Wounds — Advanced Therapies & Patient-Related Factors

    In Part 4 (Sections 5 and 6) of the “TIMERS: The Race Against Hard-to-Heal Wounds” series, *Wound Care Professional* Consultant Editor **Menna Lloyd Jones** explores the advanced and adjunctive product options alongside the critical impact of patient-related factors in wound management.

    Advanced & Adjunctive Product Use — When and How:

    • Adjunctive therapies such as amniotic membranes, ECM scaffolds, platelet-rich plasma, bioengineered skin substitutes, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), oxygen therapy, stem cell treatments, and autologous skin grafts can be deployed to enhance repair and regeneration.
    • Ancillary options like chemical debriders (e.g., Santyl®, Octenidine), larval therapy, and activated carbon dressings serve purposes such as biofilm removal, odor control, and non-traumatic debridement.
    • Choice of advanced therapies must account for wound condition, infection status, cost, patient readiness, and realistic goals, ideally in the setting of multidisciplinary care.

    Managing Patient-Related (Social) Factors:

    • The “S” component in TIMERS addresses social circumstances—such as patient literacy, belief systems, psychosocial status, adherence, and support networks—that profoundly influence outcomes.
    • Effective wound care requires patient engagement, tailored education, motivational interviewing, goal setting, and active listening to align care with individual life contexts.
    • Understanding and addressing these factors creates a strong foundation for healing and significantly improves the success of advanced therapies.

    Conclusion: Integrating advanced wound therapies with a robust strategy for managing social and patient-related determinants under the TIMERS framework enables truly holistic, patient-centered wound management—especially vital in complex or recalcitrant cases.

    Keywords:
    Menna Lloyd Jones,
    TIMERS framework,
    advanced therapies,
    adjunctive products,
    patient-related factors,
    holistic wound care,
    debridement

    Read the full article on Wound Care Professional

    The Role of Probiotics in Healing Burns and Skin Wounds

    The Role of Probiotics in Healing Burns and Skin Wounds: An Integrative Review in Regenerative Medicine

    Summary: In an open-access review published in Life (2025, Vol. 15, Issue 9), Lenuta Ambrose, Ciprian Adrian Dinu, Gabriela Gurau, Nicoleta-Maricica Maftei, Madalina Nicoleta Matei, Maria-Andrada Hincu, Marius Radu, and Mihaela-Cezarina Mehedinti examine the evolving evidence supporting use of probiotics and postbiotics in burn care and skin wound healing. The review connects mechanistic insights—anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, regenerative—with translational and pilot clinical outcomes, emphasizing safety, strain selection, and formulation options (topical, systemic) in different wound contexts.

    Key Highlights:

    • Probiotics are being investigated not only for gut health but also topically in gels, biofilms, and impregnated dressings, showing promise in reducing bacterial colonization, accelerating re-epithelialization, and promoting angiogenesis.
    • Postbiotics—non-living bioactive compounds produced by probiotic organisms (like peptides, short-chain fatty acids, polysaccharides)—offer similar regenerative benefits with potentially fewer risks.
    • The gut–skin axis is considered: systemic health, microbiota balance, and immune modulation are recognized as contributing to outcomes in burn and wound care.
    • Preclinical models (animal and in vitro) and early clinical studies show positive outcomes, but heterogeneity in strains, dosage, mode of delivery, and timing remain major barriers to standardization.
    • In the context of antimicrobial resistance, probiotics/postbiotics are seen as potential adjunct or alternative therapies, helping reduce dependency on systemic antibiotics.

    Read the full review in Life

    Keywords:
    probiotics,
    postbiotics,
    burn healing,
    skin wounds,
    regenerative medicine,
    immunomodulation,
    Lenuta Ambrose,
    Ciprian Adrian Dinu,
    Gabriela Gurau,
    Nicoleta-Maricica Maftei,
    Madalina Nicoleta Matei,
    Maria-Andrada Hincu,
    Marius Radu,
    Mihaela-Cezarina Mehedinti

    First Zinc-Bound Structures of Calprotectin Show How It Starves Bacteria

    First Zinc-Bound Structures of Calprotectin Show How It Starves Bacteria

    Summary: Researchers have determined the first zinc-bound crystal structures of the immune protein calprotectin, showing how it deprives bacteria of essential nutrients. The findings explain how calprotectin inhibits the growth of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus by locking up zinc in specialized binding sites, limiting microbial survival and biofilm formation.

    Key Highlights:

    • Structural insights: Calprotectin captures zinc in two distinct binding sites — a six-histidine (His₆) cage and a His₃Asp site — across its S100A8 and S100A9 subunits.
    • Affinity and resilience: Even when histidine residues are altered, calprotectin maintains picomolar zinc affinity, preserving its antimicrobial effect.
    • Impact on S. aureus: Blocking zinc availability disrupts bacterial growth and biomass accumulation. Disabling both zinc sites removes this protective effect.
    • Role of protein tail: The tail of S100A9 influences bacterial adherence and community structure, further modulating calprotectin’s antimicrobial activity.
    • Wound care relevance: As S. aureus is a frequent cause of chronic wound infections, this research highlights potential strategies for enhancing innate immunity or developing zinc-binding biomaterials to reduce infection risk.

    Read the full article on Phys.org

    Keywords:
    calprotectin,
    zinc sequestration,
    Staphylococcus aureus,
    antimicrobial immunity,
    wound infections

    Wound Care Professional Research Roundup, Vol. 4, Issue 1


    Research Roundup, Vol. 4, Issue 1

    Summary: This issue of Research Roundup compiles highlights from current wound care studies. Topics include antimicrobial technology, regenerative therapies, and clinical diagnostic tools, offering practical insights for modern wound management.

    Key Highlights:

    • Reviews emerging data on biofilm disruption and infection control.
    • Explores new regenerative and cellular therapy options.
    • Features updates in wound diagnostics and imaging.
    • Summarizes clinically relevant global research trends.

    Read full article

    Keywords:
    research roundup,
    antimicrobial,
    regenerative medicine,
    wound healing

    Optimizing Wound Bed Preparation: Advances in Debridement Techniques



    Optimizing Wound Bed Preparation: Advances in Debridement Techniques

    Summary: This article reviews the latest advancements in debridement techniques aimed at optimizing wound bed preparation for chronic wounds. It discusses methods such as enzymatic, mechanical, and biological debridement, highlighting their efficacy in removing necrotic tissue and promoting healing, while addressing challenges like infection control and patient comfort during treatment.

    Key Highlights:

    • Enzymatic debridement effectively targets dead tissue with minimal damage to healthy tissue.
    • Mechanical debridement offers rapid removal but requires careful application to avoid trauma.
    • Biological debridement using larvae shows promise in infection management and biofilm disruption.
    • Further research is needed to standardize protocols and enhance patient tolerability.

    Read full article

    Keywords:
    wound bed preparation,
    debridement techniques,
    chronic wounds,
    infection control,
    wound healing innovation

    Impact of Wound Malodour: VOCs and Health-Related Quality of Life



    Impact of Wound Malodour: VOCs and Health-Related Quality of Life

    Summary: This feasibility study examines how malodour from chronic wounds, driven by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from bacterial colonization and necrosis, affects patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Analyzing 92 wounds from 66 patients, it identifies key VOCs like dimethyl disulphide and diacetyl, correlates them with pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and highlights a trend toward greater HRQoL impairment in malodorous cases. The findings advocate for innovative, VOC-targeted therapies to reduce social stigma and support wound healing.

    Key Highlights:

    • Malodour stems from bacterial VOCs (e.g., dimethyl disulphide from prokaryotes) and necrosis, with biofilms linked to higher odour perception.
    • Patients with moderate-to-severe odour showed higher HRQoL impairment (Wound-QoL-14 score 2.1 vs. 1.8), correlating with social isolation and delayed care.
    • Pathogen-specific biomarkers identified, such as dimethyl trisulphide for P. aeruginosa and indole for E. coli, enabling targeted antimicrobial strategies.
    • Current dressings like activated charcoal offer partial relief (48% efficacy); future VOC antagonists could enhance biomaterials for odour control and tissue regeneration.
    • Epithializing wounds had lower VOCs and odour, underscoring malodour as a stalled healing marker.

    Read full article

    Keywords:
    wound malodour,
    volatile organic compounds,
    chronic wounds,
    health related quality of life,
    wound healing innovation

    An Innovative Mesh-Free Healing Matrix Dressing: Clinical Trial Insights



    An Innovative Mesh-Free Healing Matrix Dressing: Clinical Trial Insights

    Summary: This clinical trial assesses the performance and local tolerance of an innovative mesh-free contact layer dressing impregnated with a TLC-NOSF healing matrix, designed for enhanced conformability in irregular chronic wounds. Conducted by Sylvie Meaume and colleagues, the study involved patients with leg ulcers and pressure ulcers, showing the dressing promotes granulation, reduces inflammation, and accelerates healing while being well-tolerated with minimal adverse events. The mesh-free design improves adherence to wound beds without fragments, addressing limitations of traditional meshed dressings and supporting cost-effective outpatient care.

    Key Highlights:

    • The TLC-NOSF matrix, combining lipido-colloid technology with sucrose octasulfate, significantly reduces protease activity and biofilm formation for faster closure.
    • High conformability allows intimate contact with complex wound topographies, minimizing dead space and enhancing exudate management.
    • Patient-reported outcomes indicate high acceptance due to pain-free removal and comfort, with 95%+ satisfaction in usability.
    • No mesh-related complications like retained fragments; well-tolerated in sensitive skin, suitable for venous, arterial, and diabetic ulcers.
    • Results support broader adoption in chronic wound protocols, potentially reducing dressing changes and healthcare costs.

    Read full article

    Keywords:
    mesh-free dressing,
    TLC-NOSF,
    chronic wound management,
    conformable healing matrix,
    wound healing innovation

    Atom Insights, Superbug Cure & Healing Advances – Oct 29, 2025



    Science News: Atom Insights, Superbug Cure & Healing Advances – Oct 29, 2025

    Summary: This roundup spotlights emerging regenerative therapies for chronic wounds, including electrical stimulation to reprogram macrophages for faster diabetic ulcer healing, flatworm stem cell mechanisms for long-distance tissue communication, and a novel antibiotic 100 times more potent against superbugs like MRSA with no resistance development. Building on decades of research, these innovations promise to shift wound care from management to true regrowth, improving outcomes for conditions like arthritis and enhancing healthspan by tackling inflammation and injury at the cellular level.

    Key Highlights:

    • Macrophage reprogramming: Targeted electrical stimulation accelerates tissue repair in hard-to-heal diabetic ulcers by boosting immune response.
    • Flatworm regeneration: Insights into stem cell signaling enable distant cellular coordination, potential for organ repair in chronic wounds.
    • Superbug antibiotic: 100x stronger than current drugs, kills MRSA without resistance, addressing biofilm challenges in ulcers.
    • Microbiome focus: Novel compounds from gut flora enhance healing and combat chronic inflammation.
    • Broader impact: Beyond wounds, applications in arthritis and aging, emphasizing preventive regenerative strategies.

    Read full article

    Keywords: regenerative medicine, diabetic ulcers, superbug therapy, macrophage reprogramming, antibiotic resistance

    Research Progress on the Role and Mechanisms of Ferroptosis in Diabetic Wound Repair



    Research Progress on the Role and Mechanisms of Ferroptosis in Diabetic Wound Repair

    Summary: This review explores ferroptosis—an iron-dependent cell death driven by lipid peroxidation and antioxidant dysregulation—as a key contributor to delayed diabetic wound healing, particularly in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). High-glucose environments exacerbate ferroptosis in repair cells (macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, keratinocytes), disrupting inflammation, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization. Mechanisms include Fenton reactions from Fe²⁺, PUFA peroxidation via ACSL4/lipoxygenases, and impaired GPX4/GSH defenses. Therapeutic inhibition with Ferrostatin-1, deferoxamine, or natural compounds (resveratrol, PRP, MSC-EVs) reduces ferroptosis, enhancing granulation and closure in diabetic models, while activation targets bacterial biofilms. The review calls for clinical trials on ferroptosis biomarkers and multimodal therapies to overcome DFU chronicity.

    Key Highlights:

    • Ferroptosis disrupts diabetic healing via iron overload, ROS, and GPX4 inhibition; key in DFU refractory cases.
    • Cell-specific effects: Macrophages shift to M1; fibroblasts impair ECM; endothelial cells reduce VEGF; keratinocytes delay migration.
    • Inhibitors like Ferrostatin-1 or 4-octyl itaconate accelerate closure 40-60% in diabetic rats by boosting Nrf2/GPX4.
    • Bacterial role: Ferroptosis-sensitive pathogens (E. coli) cleared by iron-loaded hydrogels; aids infection control.
    • Implications: Ferroptosis as DFU biomarker; training for multimodal (topical/systemic) interventions needed.

    Read full article

    Keywords: ferroptosis, diabetic wound, lipid peroxidation, GPX4, DFU therapy

    Fish Collagen Technology Brings a Breakthrough in the Healing of Hard-to-Heal Wounds



    TAICEND’s Patented Fish Collagen Technology Brings a Breakthrough in the Healing of Hard-to-Heal Wounds

    Summary: TAICEND Technology unveiled its patented fish collagen series at Medica 2025, leveraging molecular medicine to accelerate hard-to-heal wound recovery by over 50%. The Postoperative, Acute & Chronic, Pressure Relief, Skin Protection, and Trauma series target stalled healing through cellular insights, providing protocol-driven solutions for clinical and home use. Fish collagen’s biocompatibility and self-repair properties offer sustainable alternatives to synthetic options, with SOPs clinically proven for faster granulation in pressure ulcers and DFUs.

    Key Highlights:

    • Series: Postoperative for infection/scar reduction; Chronic for pressure ulcers (50%+ healing speed).
    • Technology: Fish collagen integrates cellular activity for moist healing and biofilm control.
    • Applications: Home/long-term care; Trauma for emergencies with tourniquets/chest seals.
    • Event: Medica 2025 booth; CEO: “From stalled to accelerated recovery.”
    • Impact: Sustainable, protocol-driven; fosters global collaboration.

    Read full article

    Keywords: fish collagen, hard to heal wounds, TAICEND, postoperative care, Medica 2025

    An Update of Phytotherapeutic Advances of Marigold in Wound Healing



    An Update of Phytotherapeutic Advances of Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) in Wound Healing

    Summary: This update reviews Calendula officinalis (marigold) phytotherapy for wound healing, highlighting its triterpenoids and flavonoids for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and proliferative effects in DFUs. Clinical trials show 25-40% faster closure with topical extracts vs controls, via collagen stimulation and biofilm disruption. Nanoformulations enhance delivery, reducing doses and resistance risks, positioning marigold as a cost-effective adjunct for chronic ulcers in resource-limited settings.

    Key Highlights:

    • Compounds: Triterpenes (faradiol) for anti-inflammatory; flavonoids for ROS scavenging.
    • DFU Efficacy: 40% granulation boost; RCTs show 25% faster epithelialization.
    • Nano-Advances: Liposomal extracts for sustained release; 30% infection reduction.
    • Safety: No AEs; suitable for diabetics with poor perfusion.
    • Future: Combination with honey for synergistic DFU therapy.

    Read full article

    Keywords: Calendula officinalis, phytotherapy, wound healing, DFUs, triterpenoids, Duraid Al-Khafaji, Abdul-Rahman Al-Khafaji, Mohammed Al-Khafaji

    Advances in Skin & Wound Care – November/December 2025 Issue



    Advances in Skin & Wound Care – November/December 2025 Issue

    Summary: Volume 38, Issue 10 features pediatric support surfaces (extrapolating adult data for low-risk overlays vs alternating pressure), a QI project reducing hospital-acquired PIs 35% via bundles (Braden q-shift, turning q2h), and policy on surgical wounds (dehiscence risks, NPWT). Additional: Awareness on global burden ($148B U.S. spend), original research on EV scar reduction, and clinical consults on MDRPI.

    Key Highlights:

    • Pediatric: Overlays for low-risk kids; gaps in neonatal evidence.
    • QI: 35% PI drop; 60% compliance ↑ via PDSA cycles.
    • Policy: CMS doubles skin substitute apps; lymphedema coverage saves $1.3B.
    • Research: EVs ↓ scar thickness 25%; biofilms via SEM-Weka.
    • Editors: Ayello EA, Sibbald RG; 500+ pages.

    Browse issue

    Keywords: ASWC issue, pediatric surfaces, PI QI, surgical policy, EV scars, EA Ayello, RG Sibbald

    When to Stop Debriding: Knowing the Line Between Help and Harm



    When to Stop Debriding: Knowing the Line Between Help and Harm

    Summary: Debridement clears nonviable tissue to promote healing but can harm if overdone in ischemic or fragile wounds. Continue in inflammatory/proliferative phases; pause in gray zone (good granulation but increasing pain/stalling); hard stops for dry eschar, arterial disease, or pyoderma gangrenosum. Reassess after 3-4 sessions or 30 days; address barriers like perfusion/nutrition. Shift to preservation when goals prioritize QoL.

    Key Highlights:

    • Continue: Devitalized tissue, slough, biofilm, slow granulation with perfusion.
    • Pause: Granulating well but pain/bleeding worsens, progress stalls.
    • Stop: Stable eschar, no infection, vascular unknown, arterial risk, pyoderma.
    • Reassess: 30 days/3-4 sessions; collaborate on alternatives (autolytic/enzymatic).
    • Tips: Vascular eval (ABI); patient goals; audit to avoid habitual debridement.

    Read full guide

    Keywords: debridement cessation, gray zone, eschar, ischemia, reassessment, Matthew Davis

    PtPdNi Trimetallic-Doped MIL-88 Hydrogel Accelerates Healing of Bacterial-Infected Diabetic Wounds



    PtPdNi Trimetallic-Doped MIL-88 Hydrogel Accelerates Healing of Bacterial-Infected Diabetic Wounds

    Summary: PtPdNi nanozyme (PPNM) in PVA/SA hydrogel (PPNM-Gel) mimics multiple enzymes (POD/OXD/CAT/SOD/NAD-like) for ROS generation (antibacterial) and scavenging (anti-stress). In vitro: Dose-dependent E. coli/S. aureus killing (>50% colony ↓, 50% biofilm disruption). In STZ-diabetic rats with infected full-thickness wounds: 98% closure by day 12 (vs 22% control), ↑collagen/IL-10, ↓TNF-α/inflammation. Optimal 10% PPNM; biodegradable, adhesive, biocompatible platform for ROS-imbalanced infected DFUs.

    Key Highlights:

    • Synthesis: Trimetallic doping in MIL-88; PVA/SA crosslinking.
    • Antibacterial: ROS-mediated damage + NADH depletion; stronger vs E. coli.
    • In vivo: 98% healing day 12; re-epithelialization, collagen ↑; inflammation ↓.
    • Biocompatibility: >91% cell viability; swelling >350%, gradual degradation.
    • Advantages: Multifunctional, low-cost, scalable for DFU.
    • Authors: Yawen Peng, Wenjuan Du, Yating Cui et al.

    Read full study

    Keywords: trimetallic nanozyme, hydrogel, bacterial DFU, ROS scavenging, collagen deposition, inflammation

    Advancements in Wound Dressing Materials



    Advancements in Wound Dressing Materials: Highlighting Recent Progress in Hydrogels, Foams, and Antimicrobial Dressings

    Summary: This review summarizes 2025 progress in wound dressings: hydrogels (swelling up to 400%, controlled drug release for DFUs), foams (20-30x absorption, hydrocellular for VLUs/PI), and antimicrobials (silver-free nanoparticles, PHMB for infection). Tables list 15+ ClinicalTrials.gov studies (e.g., hydrogel burns n=120, foam venous ulcers n=200). Emphasizes personalized selection for moist healing, biofilm disruption, and regeneration; future: smart sensors for real-time monitoring.

    Key Highlights:

    • Hydrogels: 400% swelling; trials for burns (n=120, 70% faster closure).
    • Foams: 20-30x absorption; venous ulcer trials (n=200, 50% granulation ↑).
    • Antimicrobials: Silver-free NPs; PHMB for PI (n=150, ↓ infection 40%).
    • Trials: 15+ listed; focus chronic/acute wounds.
    • Future: Smart dressings with pH/O2 sensors.

    Read open-access review

    Keywords: hydrogel dressings, foam dressings, antimicrobial, 2025 advances, clinical trials

    Elevating Wound Care Specialists: How Venture Medical Is Redefining Full-Service Partnership



    Elevating Wound Care Specialists: How Venture Medical Is Redefining Full-Service Partnership

    Summary: January 2026 article by Howard Walthall (BSE, JD) profiles Venture Medical, LLC as a full-service partner for independent wound care providers (mobile/office-based). Offers evidence-based therapies (skin substitutes, offloading, compression, debridement, anti-biofilm, imaging, ultrasonic tools) plus proprietary Venture OneView™ software for verification, ordering, inventory, claims tracking—automating processes to cut denials/delays/compliance risks. Dedicated managers guide coding/reimbursement/tech adoption; collaborates with Independent Wound Specialist Society for education/policy advocacy. Supports complex chronic wound management (e.g., Medicare patients) by enabling focus on healing over admin burdens.

    Key Highlights:

    • Ecosystem: Products + tech + logistics + compliance support.
    • Software: OneView™ dashboard for efficiency/safety.
    • Advocacy: Fair reimbursement, best practices, rural access improvement.
    • Relevance: Empowers specialists in advanced/chronic care delivery.

    Read full article (subscription may be required)

    Keywords: Venture Medical, wound care specialists, reimbursement support, mobile wound care

    Treatment of Refractory Leg Ulcer in Patient with Lupus Undergoing Combination Therapy



    Treatment of Refractory Leg Ulcer in Patient with Lupus Undergoing Combination Therapy

    Summary: Case report details management of refractory leg ulcer in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ulcer persistent despite standard care due to autoimmune inflammation, vasculitis, and impaired healing. Treatment: Multimodal combination—aggressive debridement (sharp/autolytic), advanced dressings (e.g., collagen/silver for infection/biofilm), topical agents, compression therapy, systemic lupus management (steroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine). Outcomes: Progressive granulation, reduced inflammation, complete closure over months. Emphasizes challenges (recurrent flares, poor perfusion), need for rheumatology/wound collaboration, and tailored regimens. Demonstrates success in inflammatory/refractory ulcers with integrated therapy; relevant for autoimmune-associated chronic wounds.

    Key Highlights:

    • Challenges: Autoimmune vasculitis delays healing.
    • Approach: Debridement + advanced dressings + systemic control.
    • Outcome: Full healing; multidisciplinary key.
    • Relevance: Insights for complex inflammatory chronic ulcers.

    Read case report

    Keywords: lupus leg ulcer, refractory ulcer, combination therapy, autoimmune wound

    Simplified and Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Ulcer Guidelines



    Simplified and Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Ulcer Guidelines

    Summary: March 2026 article presents simplified yet comprehensive guidelines for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) management. Key areas: Risk stratification (IWGDF/IPAD screening), offloading (total contact casts, removable devices), debridement (sharp/autolytic), infection management (topical/systemic, biofilm disruption), vascular evaluation (ABI, toe pressures, revascularization), wound bed preparation (moisture balance, advanced dressings), patient education/adherence. Highlights multidisciplinary teams, timely referral, evidence-based advanced therapies (synthetics, biologics, NPWT). Simplified for primary care use; comprehensive for specialists. Emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and amputation reduction through standardized pathways and patient-centered care.

    Read abstract (subscription may be required)

    Keywords: DFU guidelines, diabetic foot ulcer, offloading, multidisciplinary DFU

    How to Assess Wound Exudate



    How to Assess Wound Exudate

    Summary: Article provides practical guide to assessing wound exudate in chronic/hard-to-heal wounds. Exudate types: Serous (clear), serosanguineous (pink), sanguineous (bloody), purulent (yellow/green), fibrinous (thick). Volume: Low (moist), moderate (soaked dressing), high (leaking). Assessment: Visual (color, consistency, odor), volume estimation (dressing saturation), peri-wound skin (maceration). Tools: Exudate scales, photography, patient input. Management: Match absorptive dressings (foam, alginate, superabsorbent), topical agents (antimicrobials for infected), frequency changes. Emphasizes exudate as healing indicator (excess delays, optimal moist environment promotes). Relevant for infection/biofilm detection and advanced therapy selection.

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    Keywords: wound exudate, exudate assessment, moisture balance

    Hydrosurgical Debridement System Combined with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy



    Hydrosurgical Debridement System Combined with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

    Summary: Case report demonstrates the combined use of hydrosurgical debridement (Versajet or similar) with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for a complex wound. Hydrosurgery provides precise, high-pressure saline removal of necrotic tissue, biofilm, and contaminants with minimal damage to viable structures. NPWT follows to promote granulation, reduce edema, and prepare the bed for closure or grafting. Outcomes: Clean wound bed, infection resolution, accelerated healing. Emphasizes synergy: debridement for bed prep, NPWT for sustained healing environment. Relevant for chronic, infected, or traumatic wounds where traditional sharp debridement is limited.

    Read case report

    Keywords: hydrosurgical debridement, NPWT, Versajet, complex wound

    New Research in Advances in Wound Care

    New Research in Advances in Wound Care: Emerging Evidence for Clinical Practice

    Summary: Advances in Wound Care — the official journal of the Wound Healing Society and the top-ranked wound care publication by impact factor — continues to publish high-impact translational research in 2026. A newly published article (DOI: 10.1177/15347346261428561) adds to its coverage spanning acute and chronic wound management, burns, surgical wounds, and diabetic ulcers. The journal, edited by Chandan K. Sen, PhD, at Indiana University School of Medicine, serves wound care physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, biomedical engineers, and regenerative medicine researchers. Areas of active inquiry in early 2026 include antimicrobial stewardship in chronic wound infection, skin bioengineering and tissue regeneration, real-world evidence for cellular and acellular matrix products (CAMPs), and AI-assisted wound assessment. The full text of this specific article was not publicly accessible at time of formatting; the link below will direct readers to the full content.

    Key Highlights:

    • Advances in Wound Care is the Wound Healing Society’s flagship journal — top-ranked by impact factor in the wound care discipline
    • 2026 output reflects sustained focus on biofilm management, wound bed preparation, and real-world Medicare data informing clinical practice
    • Recent studies link over-reliance on clinical signs of infection to unnecessary antibiotic use — directly relevant to current antimicrobial stewardship initiatives
    • Technology coverage includes 3D wound measurement, smart dressings, and AI-assisted assessment — priorities aligned with 2026 CMS policy updates
    • WHS members receive discounted access; available via institutional subscription or direct purchase through SAGE Publications
    • Note: Full text of DOI 10.1177/15347346261428561 was not retrievable due to access restrictions. Readers should access the full article directly.

    Read full article

    Keywords: advances in wound care, Wound Healing Society, chronic wound management, wound care research, translational wound research

    Cold Microwave Plasma Jets for Wound Healing

    Cold Microwave Plasma Jets for Wound Healing: Antimicrobial Efficacy, Mechanisms and Changes in Microbial Cells

    Summary: Researchers at Brno University of Technology (Czech Republic), in collaboration with partners in Prague, Brno, and Lublin (Poland), have published a comprehensive investigation of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as a non-thermal antimicrobial strategy for wound care applications, appearing in Scientific Reports on March 6, 2026. The study was motivated by the escalating global burden of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and the need for effective non-antibiotic decontamination methods. Using a custom-built cold microwave plasma jet, the team demonstrated effective inactivation of four clinically relevant organisms: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Cutibacterium acnes, and Nakaseomyces glabratus (formerly Candida glabrata). A critical mechanistic finding was that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) — not UV radiation — are primarily responsible for microbial inactivation, established through colorimetric agent experiments and enclosed vs. open-air environment comparisons. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed progressive morphological and intracellular changes in yeast cells following plasma treatment, including localized cell wall thinning and perforation, vacuole enlargement, enhanced vesicle formation, protoplast aggregation, and leakage of intracellular content — consistent with RONS-driven oxidative damage. Optimal treatment parameters balancing antimicrobial efficacy with safety for living tissue were also established, a prerequisite for clinical translation. The study builds on the group’s prior work on plasma sources for biomedical applications and contributes to the growing field of plasma medicine.

    Key Highlights:

    • Cold microwave plasma jets confirmed effective against S. epidermidis, E. coli, C. acnes, and N. glabratus — organisms spanning bacteria and fungi commonly implicated in wound infection
    • RONS — not UV radiation — are the primary inactivation mechanism, confirmed through enclosed/open-air comparisons and colorimetric assays
    • TEM analysis reveals progressive yeast cell wall thinning and perforation, vacuole enlargement, vesicle formation, and intracellular content leakage — a detailed ultrastructural map of plasma-induced cell death
    • Optimal treatment parameters established balancing antimicrobial efficacy with tissue safety — a critical step toward clinical use
    • Dedicated to the memory of co-author František Krčma, who constructed the MW plasma sources and secured funding; he passed away prior to publication
    • Relevance: Non-antibiotic wound decontamination technology with growing preclinical evidence base — relevant as antibiotic resistance increasingly complicates chronic wound management

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    Keywords: cold atmospheric plasma, plasma medicine, wound infection antimicrobial, antibiotic resistance wound, wound biofilm, RONS wound healing

    Kristína Trebulová Veronika Loupová Barbora Chobotská Lukáš Kletzander Přemysl Menčík Zdenka Kozáková Jan Hrudka Joanna Pawlat Pavel Kulich František Krčma (deceased)

    Trends and Healthcare Innovations in Plantar Pressure Management for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

    Global Research Trends and Healthcare Innovations in Plantar Pressure Management for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A 25-Year Bibliometric and Visual Analysis

    Summary: Published March 19, 2026 in Healthcare (MDPI), this comprehensive bibliometric and visual analysis from Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Shijitan Hospital (China), led by Dehua Wei, Boya Li, Jiangning Wang, and Lei Gao (Orthopedic Department), maps the global landscape of plantar pressure research in the context of diabetic foot ulcers across 2000–2024. Using Web of Science Core Collection data (2,110 articles after screening from 2,518 initial records), and analysis tools including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Scimago Graphica, the study provides the first dedicated bibliometric synthesis of this specific subdomain. Key findings: the United States led in both publication volume (678 articles) and H-index, followed by the United Kingdom and China, with the Netherlands achieving the highest average citations per article. David G. Armstrong ranked as the most prolific and highest H-index author (76 publications), followed by Sicco A. Bus (52) and Lawrence A. Lavery (40). The University of Amsterdam led institutional output (68 publications). The Journal of Wound Care had the highest publication count; Diabetes Care ranked first in both citation frequency and impact factor (IF 14.8). Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified 12 major clusters spanning: diabetic foot pathophysiology and amputation risk, microcirculation and vascular management, evidence-based management and guidelines, ischemia and regenerative repair, biomechanical risk factors, foot biomechanics and modeling, prevention and offloading interventions, NPWT and therapeutic technology, wound nursing and efficacy evaluation, chronic wounds and biofilm, ulcer classification and regenerative medicine, and population-level epidemiology. A keyword time zone map reveals three distinct research phases: a foundational phase (2000–2005) establishing neuropathy and plantar pressure as core DFU risk factors; a clinical technology expansion phase (2006–2015) advancing total contact casting, NPWT, and RCT methodology; and an innovation and refinement phase (2016–2024) integrating smart wearables (intelligent insoles, temperature monitoring), customised footwear (peak plantar pressure below 200 kPa target), and emerging regenerative approaches (extracellular matrix, hyaluronic acid). A key bibliometric finding of clinical significance: despite high publication frequency, “plantar pressure” exhibits low betweenness centrality (0.06), indicating it functions as a local biomechanical focus rather than a cross-domain network hub — a translational gap suggesting plantar pressure data is not being systematically integrated into multidimensional clinical management frameworks alongside vascular evaluation, neuropathy screening, and glycaemic control. The most co-cited reference is the Armstrong, Boulton, and Bus 2017 NEJM review (co-citation count n=150).

    Key Highlights:

    • 25-year dataset: 2,110 articles (WoS, 2000–2024); sustained growth from ~50 publications/year (2000) toward 150+/year (2024); US, UK, and Netherlands as dominant contributors; China and India showing rapid recent acceleration
    • Key opinion leaders: David G. Armstrong (76 publications, highest H-index), Sicco A. Bus (52), Lawrence A. Lavery (40), Andrew J.M. Boulton; Armstrong 2017 NEJM review is the most co-cited document (n=150) in the entire corpus
    • Translational gap identified: plantar pressure has high publication frequency but low betweenness centrality (0.06) in the co-occurrence network — meaning it functions as a local biomechanics topic rather than bridging to broader clinical outcome, vascular, or care-coordination frameworks; the authors call for integration of pressure data with comprehensive risk stratification tools
    • Offloading evidence: total contact casting remains gold standard for healing neuropathic plantar DFUs; custom diabetic footwear reduces 18-month recurrence by ~50%; Achilles tendon lengthening reduces forefoot ulcer recurrence by 75% in selected cases; peak in-shoe pressure target of <200 kPa for recurrence prevention
    • Smart technology trends (2016–2024 burst terms): custom-made footwear (burst 2019–2020), wound care (burst 2021–2024), epidemiology (burst 2022–2024); emerging: continuous plantar temperature monitoring, intelligent insole pressure feedback systems, remote monitoring platforms — all gaining publication volume but still limited by patient acceptance, alert fatigue, and adherence barriers
    • Global health equity gap: US and European institutions lead publication output and establish most guidelines; China and India are rapidly expanding contributions; but access to smart insoles, custom footwear, and multidisciplinary foot teams remains inequitable globally — the authors call for locally adaptable, cost-effective offloading solutions

    Read full article

    Keywords: plantar pressure diabetic foot, diabetic foot offloading, DFU bibliometric analysis, smart insole wound care, total contact casting DFU, foot biomechanics ulcer prevention

    Dehua Wei, Boya Li, Jiangning Wang, Lei Gao

    Pilot Study Could Improve Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers



    Pilot Study Could Improve Treatment of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers

    Summary: A pilot study evaluated the GPP@ZnBG hydrogel—a self-regulating bioactive glass-embedded system—for chronic diabetic foot ulcers. The hydrogel dynamically responds to wound pH and glucose/oxidative stress: early alkaline conditions trigger controlled zinc ion release for antibacterial effects, while later degradation releases zinc, calcium, and silicate ions to promote angiogenesis and tissue repair. In the clinical pilot, treated ulcers showed a 94.57% relative reduction in wound surface area within 4 weeks. This active nanotechnology approach addresses persistent infection, inflammation, and impaired healing better than passive standard care and highlights pharmacists’ role in advanced product selection and patient education.

    Key Highlights:

    • 94.57% wound area reduction in 4 weeks for chronic DFU
    • pH-responsive zinc delivery: antibacterial early, pro-angiogenic later
    • Addresses biofilm, ROS, and poor perfusion in diabetic wounds
    • Study authors: Zhao L, Chen S, Chen S, et al.

    Read full article

    Keywords: DFU hydrogel, bioactive glass wound care, chronic diabetic foot ulcer, zinc ion therapy

    The Crosstalk Between Efferocytosis and Macrophage Polarization in Diabetic Wounds



    The Crosstalk Between Efferocytosis and Macrophage Polarization in Diabetic Wounds: A Comprehensive Review

    Summary: This comprehensive 2026 review examines how defective efferocytosis (clearance of apoptotic cells) in the diabetic wound microenvironment impairs the transition of macrophages from pro-inflammatory M1 to pro-healing M2 phenotype, leading to persistent inflammation and delayed healing. Hyperglycemia, AGEs, oxidative stress, hypoxia, biofilms, and senescence disrupt efferocytosis receptors (e.g., MerTK) and signaling pathways including JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt, NLRP3 inflammasome, NF-κB, and MAPK. Failed efferocytosis deprives macrophages of anti-inflammatory signals (TGF-β, IL-10), locking them in M1 dominance. The review discusses therapeutic strategies such as small molecules, natural compounds, and biomaterials (e.g., MerTK nanoparticles, hydrogels) to restore efferocytosis and promote M2 polarization, offering new avenues to overcome limitations in current diabetic wound treatments.

    Key Highlights:

    • Impaired efferocytosis blocks M1-to-M2 switch in diabetic wounds
    • Key disrupted pathways: MerTK downregulation, NLRP3 activation, NF-κB sustained signaling
    • Potential therapies target AC clearance and polarization reprogramming
    • Authors: Yuxin He, Jie Hu, Anqi Ma, Peiyang Du, Mengdie Yang

    Read full article (open access)

    Keywords: efferocytosis, macrophage polarization diabetic, diabetic wound inflammation, Yuxin He