title: A new stable pluronic F68 gel carrier for antibiotics in contaminated wound treatment.
abstract: Pluronic F68 was selected as the gel carrier for antimicrobial agents because of its extensive use as a wound cleanser in humans without discernable side effects. When the concentration of this surfactant is increased to 46%, it forms a water soluble gel that can serve as a carrier for antimicrobial agents. The stability of this gel can be enhanced by immediately cooling (-15 degrees C) the gel for 24 hours before storage and subsequent application. Immediate cooling of the gel causes hydration of the surfactant that is associated with gel strengthening and prolonged shelf life stability. In experimental animals, this stable gel carrier containing 0.2% nitrofurazone significantly reduces the bacterial concentration of Staphylococcus aureus in wounds to a greater degree than silver sulfadiazine. This antimicrobial gel has the same antimicrobial activity as polyethylene glycol carriers containing 0.2% nitrofurazone, but does not carry the potential risk of polyethylene glycol intoxication.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Research, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hesford
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Major
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Hellewell
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Laughon
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Rodeheaver
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005782:Gels; D008297:Male; D011060:Poloxalene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005782:Gels; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011060:Poloxalene