title: Ultraviolet light C in the treatment of chronic wounds with MRSA: a case study.
abstract: The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is rapidly increasing in healthcare facilities and spreading to the community. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus colonize the skin and open wounds and can interfere with wound healing. Recent studies have shown that ultraviolet light C can kill antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus in both laboratory cultures and animal tissue. This clinical report describes the effects of ultraviolet light C on wound bioburden and closure in three people with chronic ulcers infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus. In all three patients, ultraviolet light C treatment reduced wound bioburden and facilitated wound healing. Two patients had complete wound closure following 1 week of ultraviolet light C treatment. This case study suggests that ultraviolet light C is a promising adjunctive therapy for chronic wounds containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, Elborn College, London, Ontario, N6G 1H, Canada.
authors.forename: Thao P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Thai
authors.forename: Pamela E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: M Gail
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Woodbury
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy