Evaluation of the antibacterial properties of four bioactive biomaterials for chronic wound management

Abstract

Aim: Chronic wound infections present a prevalent medical issue and a multifaceted problem that significantly impacts healthcare systems worldwide. Biofilms formed by pathogenic bacteria are fundamental virulence factors implicated in the complexity and persistence of bacterial-associated wound infections, leading to prolonged recovery times and increased risk of infection. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial effectiveness of commonly employed bioactive wound healing compositions with a particular emphasis on their effectiveness against common bacterial pathogens encountered in chronic wounds - Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to identify optimal wound product composition for managing chronic wound infections. Methods: This study tested the antibacterial and antibiofilm effectiveness of four bioactive wound healing materials by performing in vitro antibacterial assays and measuring ion release profiles. Results: The anti-biofilm effectiveness differed extensively among the biomaterials tested and slightly among the bacterial species. Particularly, copper and zinc-doped borate bioactive glass wound healing compositions inhibited the three clinically relevant bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm forms, which were found to be ascribed to the copper and zinc gradual release. Conclusion: The findings suggest that copper and zinc-doped bioactive glasses hold great promise for improving chronic wound management by providing strong antibacterial action and promoting faster healing.