Bacterial infections in burn wounds

Brink, S. van den (2014) Bacterial infections in burn wounds. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Thermal injury destroys the skin, the natural barrier to the external environment. As a result the burned area is prone to infection and colonization of microorganisms. The most common pathogenic colonizing bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S. aureus is both a human commensal bacterium, as it is carried by a significant amount of individuals, and a possible infectious pathogen. Other prevalent bacteria in burn wounds are Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumonia. All these pathogenic species of bacteria can contribute to the inflammatory immune responses induced by thermal injuries. Hyperactivity of human macrophages induces an increased production of cytokines, radical oxygen agents and endotoxins. This leads to a diminished function of the adaptive immune system. Thereby, there is a destruction of cell membranes and denaturation of proteins in endothelial cells. Severe thermal injuries may lead to impaired functioning of the cardiovascular, the excretory, the respiratory and the gastrointestinal system. The most common treatment method used to be treatment with topical antibacterial agents. However, most pathogenic strains have acquired resistance to antibiotics. Several different treatment strategies have been effectively developed. Negative wound pressure therapy has been proved to inhibit bacterial proliferation and to reduce cytokine production. Garlic ointment showed effective inhibition of biofilm formation by all prevalent pathogenic bacterial strains.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 07:56
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 07:56
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/11674

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