Persistence of bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa in non-healing venous ulcers.

BACKGROUND

There is evidence that chronic inflammation due to bacterial wound colonization delays wound healing.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, in a Leipzig (Germany) cohort of chronic wound patients, the microbiological spectrum in 2005 and in 2010 was evaluated, as were patients with continuous ulceration sequentially over a decade from 2001-2011.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the microbial swabs of 126 patients with chronic leg ulcers caused by chronic venous insufficiency.

RESULTS

In the cross-sectional analysis in both 2005 and 2010, as well as in the longitudinal analysis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis were respectively the most common pathogens colonizing chronic leg ulcers. In the longitudinal analysis from 2001-2011, the same bacterial species could be identified ≥ 3 years consecutively in 20/35 patients. Normally only one or two species could persistently be demonstrated over the years. The subgroup of patients with ≥ 3 x confirmation of P. aeruginosa in their swabs showed a longer wound duration compared to all patients in the longitudinal group.

CONCLUSION

We registered the persistence of bacteria like P. aeruginosa or S. aureus in consecutive bacterial swabs over the years in individual patients with non-healing venous ulcerations.