title: Topical antibacterial agents for wound care: a primer.
abstract: Although often overlooked, topical antibiotic agents play an important role in dermatology. Their many uses include prophylaxis against cutaneous infections, treatment of minor wounds and infections, and elimination of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. For these indications, they are advantageous over their systemic counterparts because they deliver a higher concentration of medication directly to the desired area and are less frequently implicated in causing bacterial resistance. The ideal topical antibiotic has a broad spectrum of activity, has persistent antibacterial effects, and has minimal toxicity or incidence of allergy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York 10025, USA.
authors.forename: Candace Thornton
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Spann
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Tutrone
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: Noah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scheinfeld
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods*; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local