Evaluation of a prototype therapeutic system for prolonged, continuous topical delivery of homosulfanilamide in the management of Pseudomonas burn wound sepsis.

The ability of homosulfanilimide (HS) delivered from two different dressing vehicles to limit bacterial proliferation was evaluated in burned animals deliberately infected with virulent Pseudomonas organisms. Treatment consisted of once daily topical application of one of two vehicles: (1) an experimental prototype system that utilized micronized HS in a hydrophobic, bioerodible, polymeric matrix, impregnated on a fabric backing; or (2) a commercially available dressing that contained the same mass of drug in a hydrophilic cream base impregnated on the same backing. Wounds on control animals were covered with fabric backing with or without the bioerodible matrix. The experimental system was designed to maintain a finite local concentration of HS on the burn wound for at least 24 hours. It is known that the cream base presents a rapidly decreasing concentration of drug to the burn surface. HS delivered from the experimental system produced a significant reduction in deaths compared with the HS delivered from the cream base. In addition, the new method of delivering HS provided better control of local and systemic infection, and better wound hydration and also promoted earlier eschar separation. The experimental system was at least as convenient to apply as the cream and had an advantage with respect to inspection of the wound, since it could be removed and reapplied easily.