Gram-negative bacterial infection in thigh abscess can migrate to distant burn depending on burn depth

Effects of phosphate supplementation on Pseudomonas aeruginosa invasive behavior in burn wound infections: A simple approach to a big problem

This study was designed to investigate the effect of inorganic phosphate supplementation on invasive behavior of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn wound infections. An emulsion-based lotion containing sodium dihydrogen phosphate was formulated and then 50 female Sprague-Dawley rats with burn wounds were used to assess the effect of phosphate supplementation on swarming motility of P. aeruginosa. On the second day after burn, four groups of rats were inoculated with P. aeruginosa and one group was left as negative control. The treatment was started on day 3 and the animals were followed up for 4 weeks. Significant improvement in wound healing was observed in the phosphate-receiving group after the 4-week follow-up, compared to the negative control, positive control, and silver sulfadiazine-receiving groups. Histopathological assessment of the tissue samples also indicated the healing process in phosphate-enriched lotion receiving group. The results showed that inorganic phosphate supplementation results in alteration of the virulence behavior of P. aeruginosa and improvement in the wound healing process. In conclusion, phosphate supplementation would be a rational strategy in the eradication of P. aeruginosa wound infection.

Immune responses in relation to the type and time of thermal injury: an experimental study

BACKGROUND

Thermal injuries are followed by a complex immune response, but the relationship between the severity of burn injury and the time exposure to the thermal injury on the extent of the immune response is still not known.

OBJECTIVE

This study focuses on characterising the effect of temperature and time exposure on the post-burn immune response.

METHODS

We used 120 C57BL/6 male mice divided equally in 5 burn groups and one sham operated group (groups A-E and sham). Ten mice per group were sacrificed at 24 and 48 h after burn injury and whole blood was collected; specimens of liver, lung, spleen, kidney and bowel were excised. Apoptosis and TREM-1 expression on circulating blood cells were measured. Splenocytes were isolated and stimulated for cytokine production; the rate of apoptosis of splenocytes was also measured.

RESULTS

Production of IL-17 from splenocytes of mice group D was enhanced. Considerable effects were shown on the apoptosis of circulating lymphocytes and of spleen cells. The apoptotic rates varied between groups and also evolved after 24 and 48 h. To examine the origin of this differential response, quantitative bacterial cultures of liver, lung and kidney were made but no differences were observed compared with sham-operated animals.

LIMITATIONS

This study was based on an experimental murine model.

CONCLUSION

There is a unique response for each type of injury depending on the temperature of the thermal source and the exposure time.