An in Vitro Evaluation of the 14-Day Microbial Barrier Property of Exofin High Viscosity Topical Skin Adhesive.

Abstract

Background: Wound closure is a critical aspect of medical care, and the choice of closure methods plays a pivotal role in preventing infections. Traditional sutures and staples can introduce foreign material into the wound, increasing the risk of infection. Adhesives offer a potential alternative by providing a physical barrier against microorganisms. Objective: To assess the microbial barrier properties of Exofin High Viscosity Topical Skin Adhesive (HVTSA), a novel adhesive system, against a range of challenge organisms. Methods: This study, conducted by the independent research organization NAMSA (North American Science Associates, LLC), aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Exofin HVTSA as a microbial barrier. This study was carried out by an independent research organization NAMSA. Challenge organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus brasiliensis, were used to evaluate the adhesive's effectiveness. Inocula of each organism were placed on cured Exofin HVTSA test articles and observed for 14 days. Positive and negative control plates were included to validate the effectiveness of the challenge organisms and assess the absence of contamination. Results: Exofin HVTSA demonstrated effective microbial barrier properties against all challenge organisms, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. No growth or color change was observed for Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, MRSA, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus brasiliensis over the 14-day observation period. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited no growth, but showed a color change in two out of five replicates on day 14. Conclusion: Exofin HVTSA demonstrated effective microbial barrier properties for 14 days against a range of common wound pathogens, suggesting its potential as a safe and effective alternative to traditional wound closure methods. Further research is warranted to investigate its efficacy in clinical settings.