Hard-to-heal wounds, biofilm and wound healing: An intricate interrelationship

Autores da FMUP

• Carmen Maria Lisboa Da Silva

  Autor

• Luis Filipe Duarte Reino Cobrado

  Autor

• Cidália Irene Azevedo Pina Vaz

  Autor

• Acácio Agostinho Gonçalves Rodrigues

  Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

• Azevedo, MM

Unidades de investigação

• Patologia

• RISE-Health

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

Abstract

Hard-to-heal wounds are a major public health problem that incur high economic costs. A major source of morbidity, they can have an overwhelming impact on patients, caregivers and society. In contrast to acute wound healing, which follows an orderly and timely reparative process, the healing of hard-to-heal wounds is delayed because the usual biological progression is interrupted. This article discusses hard-to-heal wounds, the impact they have on patients and healthcare systems, and how biofilms and other factors affect the wound-healing process. Controlling and preventing infection is of utmost importance for normal wound healing. Rational use of anti-infectious agents is crucial and is particularly relevant in the context of rising healthcare costs. Knowledge of the complex relationship between hard-to-heal wounds, biofilm formation and wound healing is vital for efficient management of hard-to-heal wounds. ? 2020 MA Healthcare Ltd.

Keywords

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Biofilms; Humans; Wound Healing; Wound Infection; topical antiinfective agent; biofilm; drug effect; growth, development and aging; human; microbiology; physiology; wound healing; wound infection