title: Infection and colonization in epidermolysis bullosa.
abstract: In all forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), skin fragility may result in bacterial colonization or infection, particularly in the more severe forms where wounds may be multiple and long-standing. A balance exists between a wound's bacterial load and the host defenses, such that there is a spectrum from simple contamination, through colonization, critical colonization, to overt infection. The increased bioburden in critically colonized or infected wounds impairs healing and therefore recognition of these situations, and appropriate measures to promote a healing environment, are fundamental to the care of EB wounds.
authors.affiliation: St John's Institute of Dermatology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. jemima.mellerio@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jemima E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mellerio
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001458:Bandages; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004820:Epidermolysis Bullosa / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents