Experimental wound ischemia does not promote pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation

Abstract

Introduction: It has been suggested that wound ischemia is involved in the promotion of bacterial proliferation, which is a detrimental factor in wound healing. Increasing evidence from clinical data suggests that bacteria live within biofilms on nonhealing wounds. Yet, there have been no reports clarifying the contribution of wound ischemia to biofilm formation on nonhealing wounds. Objectives: The present study addresses the question of how ischemia affects biofilm formation at wound sites. Methods: Standardized dorsal ischemic flaps were lifted and sutured on the backs of Sprague–Dawley rats. Partial thickness wounds were created on these flaps, and a suspension of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was applied to each wound. We analyzed wound exudate, histological findings, and biofilm formation. Results: The quantities of exudate from the wounds on the ischemic flaps were greater than those from control wounds. Surprisingly, in ischemic wounds, biofilm formation was diminished and leukocyte infiltration was decreased. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the ischemic condition may not contribute to the development of biofilm formation on skin wounds through regulating leukocytic responses.