title: Increased bacterial burden and infection: the story of NERDS and STONES.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to provide practitioners with an overview of wound infection/inflammation and bacterial balance and to offer a guide to assessment and treatment of chronic wounds.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses who assess and treat wound infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After reading this article and taking this test, the participant should be able to: 1. Discuss factors associated with infection of the chronic wound, including the concept of bacterial balance and burden. 2. Identify signs of infection in the chronic wound and applicable diagnostic tests. 3. Describe appropriate treatment for the infected chronic wound.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: R Gary
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Sibbald
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ayello
mesh_terms: D000004:Abbreviations as Topic; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003646:Debridement; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007249:Inflammation; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D009812:Odorants; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods*; D012881:Skin Temperature; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D018030:Silver Compounds