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Does the Application of a Semiocclusive Dressing Alter the Microflora of Healthy Intact Skin on the Foot?
- Source :
- Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 111(1)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background The skin on human feet presents unique environments for the proliferation of potentially pathogenic commensals. This study examined microflora changes on healthy intact skin under a semiocclusive dressing on the medial longitudinal arch of the foot to determine changes in growth, distribution, and frequency of microflora under the dressing. Methods Nine human participants wore a low-adherent, absorbent, semiocclusive dressing on the medial longitudinal arch of the left foot for 2 weeks. An identical location on the right foot was swabbed and used as a control. Each foot was swabbed at baseline, week 1, and week 2. The swabs were cultured for 48 hours. Visual identification, Gram staining, DNase test agar, and a latex slide agglutination test were used to identify genera and species. Results Microflora growth was categorized as scant (0–10 colony-forming units [CFU]), light (11–50 CFU), moderate (51–100 CFU), or heavy (>100 CFU). Scant and light growth decreased and moderate and heavy growth increased under the dressing compared with the control. Seven different genera of bacteria were identified. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp appeared most frequently, followed by Corynebacterium spp. Conclusions Changes in microflora distribution, frequency, and growth were found under the dressing, supporting historical studies. Microflora changes were identified as an increase in bioburden and reduction in diversity. The application of similar methods, using more sophisticated identification and analysis techniques and a variety of dressings, could lead to a better understanding of bacterial and fungal growth under dressings, informing better dressing selection to assist the healing process of wounds and prevent infection.
- Subjects :
- Veterinary medicine
food.ingredient
Corynebacterium
Intact skin
medicine.disease_cause
law.invention
Bioburden
030207 dermatology & venereal diseases
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
food
law
Medicine
Agar
Humans
Skin
0303 health sciences
Wound Healing
biology
030306 microbiology
business.industry
General Medicine
biology.organism_classification
Bandages
Gram staining
Heavy growth
business
Staphylococcus
Foot (unit)
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19308264
- Volume :
- 111
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....6309968cc6d118306e001787197a30d2