An update on chronic wounds and the role of biofilms.

BACKGROUND

Chronic wounds cause significant morbidity and mortality and cost our health care system millions of dollars each year. A major impediment to wound healing is the formation of bacterial biofilms. Biofilms are communities of bacteria associated with chronic infections.

OBJECTIVE

This article reviews the literature on chronic wounds and biofilms. The role of biofilms in chronic wounds is not widely known. The purpose is to increase awareness of their role and to discuss research into novel therapeutic options.

METHODS

PubMed searches were performed to identify publications on chronic wounds and biofilms.

RESULTS

Biofilms contribute to chronic wound nonhealing. There is an abundance of research into novel antibiofilm strategies for chronic wounds.

CONCLUSION

Current research is being targeted at antibiofilm strategies needed to restore an optimal wound-healing environment. A combined treatment approach involving aggressive débridement and the addition of antibiofilm agents is needed.