title: The Effect of a Bacteria- and Fungi- binding Mesh Dressing on the Bacterial Load of Pressure Ulcers Treated With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to clinically evaluate the efficacy of a bacteria- and-fungi-binding mesh (BFBM) dressing to modify the bacterial load of pressure ulcers (PUs) of categories 3 and 4, when used as a wound contact layer (WCL) during negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational single-centre study in patients with PUs of categories 3 or 4, who were treated with NPWT. Patients were observed for 7 days and received NPWT at -80 mm Hg with the BFBM dressing as the WCL. Wound biopsies were performed at inclusion (B0), at 48 hours (B1), and at day 7 (B7). Bacteria- and fungi-binding mesh dressings were examined for bacterial load at 48 hours (D1) and at 7 days (D7). The primary endpoint was the changes in bacterial loads.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients were enrolled; 43 (86%) of their PUs were on the sacrum. At B0, 3 groups of wounds were identified by the bioburden level: group A had negative results (28%) to bacterial loads from 102 to 5 x 103 colony forming units (CFU) CFU/mL (18%); group B had 104 to 105 CFU/mL (18%); and group C with ≥ 106 CFU/mL (36%). The authors did not find any significant difference in bacterial loads in group A, but significant differences were found in group B at B1 and B7 (P = 0.04 and P = 0.0067) and in group C at B1 and B7 (P < 0.00001). There was no significant difference on the bacterial loads of the dressing at D1 and D7 (P = 0.823). No device-related adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BFBM dressing seems to be at the origin of a statistically significant reduction of bacterial burden in wounds with moderate or high levels of colonization. The authors' findings suggest BFBM dressings may be a WCL of choice during the treatment of chronic wounds with NPWT.
authors: Centro Aziendale di Riparazione Tissutale, Wound Care Centre, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Marino
authors: M
authors: Ciliberti
authors: Centro Aziendale di Riparazione Tissutale, Wound Care Centre, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: De Lara
authors: Centro Aziendale di Riparazione Tissutale, Wound Care Centre, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Serra
authors: Centro Aziendale di Riparazione Tissutale, Wound Care Centre, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Felice
authors: F
authors: Tafuro
authors: Centro Aziendale di Riparazione Tissutale, Wound Care Centre, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Francesco Maria
authors: FM
authors: Iazzetta
authors: Micobiology Unit, San Leonardo Hospital, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Filosa
authors: Micobiology Unit, San Leonardo Hospital, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Scognamiglio
authors: Micobiology Unit, San Leonardo Hospital, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Giorgia
authors: G
authors: Ciliberti
authors: Micobiology Unit, San Leonardo Hospital, ASL NAPOLI 3 SUD, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Maria Rosaria
authors: MR
authors: Veneri
mesh_terms: D058491:Bacterial Load; D001458:Bandages; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology*