A/Prof. Zhe Li^1,2, Miranda Pye¹, Christine Parker¹, Dr Justine O’Hara¹, Prof Peter Maitz^1,2

¹Burns Unit, Concord Hospital, Concord, Australia, ²University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, Australia

Abstract:

Burn wound healing is a very complex process affected by multiple factors. In addition to systemic regulation, a balanced wound niche environment with favourable pH, moisture and microbiological and inflammatory statuses is also critical for wound bed regeneration, cell migration and wound epithelization. Topical application of antiseptic wound cleansing solutions are often used in burn wound care as prophylactic or therapeutic practice to clean the wounds, optimize the healing environment, decreases the potential for infection and facilitate wound healing. Both Prontosan and Microdacyn are widely used in burn wound care, being reported as effective antiseptic solutions that kill Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, other Gram-negative bacteria and biofilms in the wounds via different mechanisms. However their cytotoxicity on skin cells and potential impact on wound epithelization are not thoroughly examined although both products are promoted as “non-cytotoxic” (Microdacyn) or “minimal toxicity” (Prontosan).   In this study, experiments were carried out to examine their effects on the viability and proliferation of human skin cells. Our data indicate that both cleansing solutions are cytotoxic to skin cells and can affect cell attachment and migration with the potential to impair wound epithelization. At the meeting, we will discuss data analysis in details and propose suggestions on better use of antiseptic wound cleansing solutions.

Reference:

1. Prontosan® Wound Irrigation. The solution for acute, chronic and burn wounds. https://www.bbraun.com.au/en/products/b0/prontosan-wound-irrigationsolution.html
2. Microdacyn. https://www.microdacyn.com.au/microdacyn
3. Chindera, K. et al. The antimicrobial polymer PHMB enters cells and selectively condenses bacterial chromosomes. Sci. Rep. 6, 23121; doi: 10.1038/srep23121 (2016)

Biography:

Zhe Li (PhD, MD) holds the positions of clinical associate professor of USyd Medical School and chief scientist of Burns Unit, Concord Hospital. He has the expertise in cell therapy, skin tissue engineering/regeneration, living skin substitutes for severe burns. He manage the Skin Laboratory, a GMP facility for burn service.