Therapeutic Index for Local Infections score validity: a retrospective European analysis

Infection assessment tools for acute and chronic wounds: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To map the tools available in the literature for assessing wound infection.

METHOD

This is a scoping review conducted from the Joana Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis, in the databases of the Virtual Health Library, PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and the academic literature repository, Google Scholar. The research question was developed based on the acronym PCC (Population/Concept/Context), resulting in the following formulation: "Which tools available in the literature assess wound infections?"

RESULTS

The analysis included 32 wound infection assessment tools. Of these, 26 using clinical signs and symptoms of infection distributed across scales, checklists, classification systems, and completion forms were identified. In addition to these, 5 electronic devices and 01 software were identified.

CONCLUSION

The diversity of instruments highlights the complexity of wound infection management, emphasizing the need to discuss their applicability, benefits, and limitations to select the best evidence-based instrument.

Systematics, diagnosis and treatment of wound infections in chronic wounds: A position paper from WundDACH

Wound infections are still an interdisciplinary and interprofessional challenge, because of numerous complications, particularly in people with chronic wounds. There are many different concepts and approaches in this field today. Therefore, WundDACH, the umbrella organization of the German-speaking wound healing societies, wrote a position paper on this important topic. An interdisciplinary and interprofessional group of experts from German-speaking countries developed definitions and procedures for nomenclature, diagnosis and treatment of wound infections in people with chronic wounds in a modified Delphi process. The importance of correctly diagnosing wound infections is emphasized so that adequate treatment can be carried out as early and specifically as possible. For a differentiated assessment, a simplified continuum of wound infection with contamination, colonization, local and systemic infection and the corresponding therapeutic consequences was described. Most bacteria in wounds can be removed by repeated wound-irrigation and debridement. Local wound infections are diagnosed based on clinical signs of infection and TILI score. Treatment is then usually exclusively local, for example with modern antiseptics such as polyhexanide. Systemic antibiotics should mostly be considered when signs of systemic infections appear. The indication for antimicrobial wound therapy should be critically reviewed after 10-14 days at the latest.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy in chronic wound's microbiology

PURPOSE

This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of non-culture-based methodologies for detecting microorganisms in chronic wounds.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of alternative tests in chronic wound samples, excluding studies focused on animal samples or unrelated conditions. The search encompassed PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases, employing the QUADAS-2 tool for risk of bias assessment. Our search included the PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases, and we assessed the risk of bias using the QUADAS-2 tool. A meta-analysis was conducted on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and colorimetric methods to determine sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and summary receiver-operating characteristic (sROC) curves using a random-effects model. For methods not suitable for quantitative synthesis, a narrative synthesis was performed.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies involving various types of chronic wounds were analysed, revealing diverse diagnostic methods including fluorescence, PCR, colorimetry, voltammetry, electronic nose, biosensors, enzymatic methods, staining and microscopy. Combining fluorescence with clinical signs and symptoms (CSS) versus culture showed significant accuracy. Colorimetry demonstrated low sensitivity but high specificity, with a diagnostic odds ratio of 6.3. PCR generally exhibited good accuracy, although significant heterogeneity was noted, even in subgroup analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified a broad spectrum of diagnostic approaches, highlighting the superior diagnostic accuracy achieved when microbiological analysis is combined with clinical assessments. However, the heterogeneity and methodological variations across studies present challenges in meta-analysis. Future research should aim for standardized and homogeneous study designs to enhance the assessment of diagnostic accuracy for alternative methods.

M.O.I.S.T. Concept for the Local Therapy of Chronic Wounds: An International Update

Chronic wounds remain a significant clinical challenge both for those affected and for healthcare systems. The treatment is often comprised and complex. All patients should receive wound care that is integrated into a holistic approach involving local management that addresses the underlying etiology and provides for gold standard therapy to support healing, avoid complications and be more cost effective. There have been significant advances in medicine over the last few decades. The development of new technologies and therapeutics for the local treatment of wounds is also constantly increasing. To help standardize clinical practice with regard to the multitude of wound products, the M.O.I.S.T. concept was developed by a multidisciplinary expert group. The M stands for moisture balance, O for oxygen balance, I for infection control, S for supporting strategies, and T for tissue management. Since the M.O.I.S.T. concept, which originated in the German-speaking countries, is now intended to provide healthcare professionals with an adapted instrument to be used in clinical practice, and a recent update to the concept has been undertaken by a group of interdisciplinary experts to align it with international standards. The M.O.I.S.T. concept can now be used internationally both as an educational tool and for the practical implementation of modern local treatment concepts for patients with chronic wounds and can also be used in routine clinical practice.

Occlusive cutaneous vasculopathies as cause of chronic ulcers

The term occluding vasculopathies covers a large number of different conditions. These often manifest as skin ulcers. Occluding vasculopathies should be considered in the differential diagnosis of leg ulcers. The term "occlusive vasculopathies" encompasses pathophysiologically related entities that share structural or thrombotic obliteration of small cutaneous vessels. In this article, we will focus on livedoid vasculopathy with and without antiphospholipid syndrome and calciphylaxis with differentiation from hypertonic leg ulcer as the most relevant differential diagnoses of leg ulcer. The term also includes vascular occlusion, for example due to oxalate or cholesterol embolism, and septic vasculopathy. This often leads to acral ulceration and is therefore not a differential diagnosis with classic leg ulcers. It will not be discussed in this article. Occlusive vasculopathy may be suspected in the presence of the typical livedo racemosa or (non-inflammatory) retiform purpura as a sign of reduced cutaneous perfusion in the wound area. Inflammatory dermatoses, especially vasculitides, must be differentiated. This is achieved by histopathological evaluation of a tissue sample of sufficient size and depth taken at the appropriate time. In addition, specific laboratory parameters, particularly coagulation parameters, can support the diagnosis.

Okkludierende kutane Vaskulopathien als Ursachen chronischer Unterschenkelulzerationen

Unter den Begriff der okkludierenden Vaskulopathien fällt eine Reihe unterschiedlicher Krankheitsbilder. Diese manifestieren sich an der Haut häufig mit Ulzerationen. Gerade bei Ulzerationen der Unterschenkel sollten okkludierende Vaskulopathien in die differenzialdiagnostischen Überlegungen einbezogen werden. Der Begriff „okkludierende Vaskulopathien“ umfasst pathophysiologisch verwandte Entitäten, die eine strukturelle oder thrombotische Obliteration von kleinsten Hautgefäßen gemein haben. In diesem Artikel wird vor allem auf die Livedovaskulopathie mit und ohne Antiphospholipidsyndrom sowie die Calciphylaxie mit Abgrenzung zum Ulcus cruris hypertonicum als die relevantesten Differenzialdiagnosen von Unterschenkelulzerationen eingegangen. Der Begriff umfasst auch Gefäßverschlüsse, beispielsweise durch Oxalat oder Cholesterinembolie, sowie die septische Vaskulopathie. Diese führt häufig zu akralen Ulzerationen und stellt somit keine Differenzialdiagnose zum klassischen Ulcus cruris dar. Sie wird daher in diesem Artikel nicht behandelt.

Der Verdacht einer okkludierenden Vaskulopathie kann über die typische Livedo racemosa beziehungsweise die (nichtinflammatorische) retiforme Purpura als Zeichen der kutanen Minderdurchblutung in der Wundumgebung gestellt werden. Entzündliche Dermatosen, insbesondere Vaskulitiden, müssen differenzialdiagnostisch abgegrenzt werden. Dies geschieht zum Teil klinisch und durch die histopathologische Beurteilung einer Gewebeprobe, die in ausreichender Größe und Tiefe sowie zum richtigen Zeitpunkt entnommen werden muss. Ergänzend können spezifische Laborparameter, insbesondere die Gerinnungsdiagnostik, die Diagnosestellung unterstützen.

[Diagnostics and treatment of local wound infections]

Local wound infections are a multidisciplinary challenge which should be diagnosed as early as possible and adequately treated. In addition to a stagnation of wound healing, it is in particular the threat of development into systemic infections and even sepsis that represent feared, potentially life-threatening complications. This topic has a particularly high and multidisciplinary significance in the treatment of patients with chronic wounds. Until now, there were no generally accepted criteria for the diagnostics. The newly developed and validated TILI score, as a supplement to vital signs and serological values, enables rapid objectification of local wound infections. In addition, the W.A.R. score can be used to identify patients with an increased risk of infections. With these easy to use tools, the indications for antiseptic wound treatment can be assessed individually, quickly and without problems. For many patients with chronic wounds, polihexanide is then the wound antiseptic of first choice. However, the indications for wound antiseptics should be critically reviewed after a treatment duration of 14 days at the latest.

Inflammatory skin diseases and wounds

Inflammatory wounds of the skin can be caused by many different diseases. Of particular importance here are the very heterogeneous groups of vasculitides and vasculopathies. These are usually interdisciplinary relevant diseases that require extensive diagnostics in specialized centres. Clinically, these inflammatory wounds present as very painful ulcers that develop from necrosis and are surrounded by erythematous livid borders. The healing process is often difficult and protracted. Moreover, it considerably impairs the quality of life of the affected patients. In addition to clinical evaluation, histopathological examination of biopsies taken as early as possible is particularly important in diagnosis. Numerous differential diagnoses must be ruled out. Therapeutically, in addition to the often necessary systemic therapies, which include immunosuppressants (immunomodulating drugs and/or rheologics), appropriate topical wound treatment, usually in combination with compression therapy, should always be considered. Whenever possible, the causative factors should be diagnosed early and avoided or treated.

[Wound treatment without curative intention: position paper of the Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e. V.]

Today, patients with chronic wounds are treated in many different fields of medicine. Despite this great interdisciplinary and interprofessional importance, there is still a lack of uniformly accepted definitions and classifications. Therefore, a group of experts from the professional society Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e. V. translated and adapted the classification of chronic wounds into healable, maintenance and nonhealable wounds on the basis of the internationally published literature into German. This classification results in the aim of curative, limited respectively non-curative or palliative wound care, which are very important for everyday clinical practice. It thus becomes clear that complete wound closure is not always the central intention of wound treatment. For many patients with chronic wounds, other aspects such as the best possible quality of life and the promotion of health-related self-management as well as the avoidance of complications are important for treatment concepts. These therapy intentions should be differentiated and individually discussed with patients in order to facilitate shared decision making.

Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD): A best practice recommendation from Wund-D.A.CH

Wund-D.A.CH., as the umbrella organization of German-speaking wound treatment societies, has currently developed a best practice recommendation for skin damage caused by body fluids, which is known as moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) in English-speaking countries. In this expert consensus, the diseases incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), intertriginous dermatitis, including intertrigo, gram-negative bacterial toe web infection and toxic contact dermatitis, including periwound and peristomal dermatitis are presented in a differentiated manner. A common feature of these clinical diseases is a deterioration of skin integrity due to prolonged exposure to body fluids such as urine, stool, sweat or wound exudate with associated physical-irritative and/or chemical irritation. In addition, other comorbidities and cofactors play an important role. The diagnosis of these interdisciplinary and interprofessionally relevant MASD is difficult in everyday clinical practice because there are currently no uniform definitions and many relevant differential diagnoses. Effective strategies for the prevention and therapy of these skin diseases are, for example, continence management, use of efficient, absorbent aids with good retention as well as consistent skin protection and adequate skin care. Another important aspect is the education of patients and relatives about the origin, treatment and prevention of MASD.

In Vitro Efficacy of Bacterial Cellulose Dressings Chemisorbed with Antiseptics against Biofilm Formed by Pathogens Isolated from Chronic Wounds

Local administration of antiseptics is required to prevent and fight against biofilm-based infections of chronic wounds. One of the methods used for delivering antiseptics to infected wounds is the application of dressings chemisorbed with antimicrobials. Dressings made of bacterial cellulose (BC) display several features, making them suitable for such a purpose. This work aimed to compare the activity of commonly used antiseptic molecules: octenidine, polyhexanide, povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, ethacridine lactate, and hypochlorous solutions and to evaluate their usefulness as active substances of BC dressings against 48 bacterial strains (8 species) and 6 yeast strains (1 species). A silver dressing was applied as a control material of proven antimicrobial activity. The methodology applied included the assessment of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC), the modified disc-diffusion method, and the modified antibiofilm dressing activity measurement (A.D.A.M.) method. While in 96-well plate-based methods (MIC and MBEC assessment), the highest antimicrobial activity was recorded for chlorhexidine, in the modified disc-diffusion method and in the modified A.D.A.M test, povidone-iodine performed the best. In an in vitro setting simulating chronic wound conditions, BC dressings chemisorbed with polyhexanide, octenidine, or povidone-iodine displayed a similar or even higher antibiofilm activity than the control dressing containing silver molecules. If translated into clinical conditions, the obtained results suggest high applicability of BC dressings chemisorbed with antiseptics to eradicate biofilm from chronic wounds.