Biofilm Detection & Control

Chronic wound infection management strategies are highly dependent on an accurate diagnosis on the status of biofilm infection and the type of biofilms being formed on the sample. To date, there is no commercially available rapid point-of-care detection tool that allows the clinicians to assess the biofilms on chronic wound. Thus, it poses a significant challenge in timely diagnosis and treatment of potential bacterial infection of diabetic wounds, leading to poor prognosis and financial burden. The methods used routinely to remove biofilms as part of wound management procedure include methylene blue staining, ultrasound treatment, mechanical debridement, enzymatic treatment, and sodium hypochlorite treatment. The assessment of the effectiveness of wound debridement is still based on visual inspection despite being in the age of molecular diagnostics. None of these techniques offer molecular insights of the extend of infection due to biofilm infiltration and retention on the wound after debridement which contribute to insufficient debridement and recurrent infection, leading to a delay in the prescription of efficacious treatment regime. A portable device that allows for in situ detection of biofilm in wound as part of the wound management practice is needed.