Abstract
Rapid assessment of burn depth is important for burn wound management. Superficial partial-thickness burn (SPTB) wounds heal without scars, but deep partial-thickness burn (DPTB) wounds require a longer healing time and have a higher risk of scar formation. We previously found that DPTB blister fluid displayed a higher angiogenin level than SPTB blister fluid by conventional ELISA. In this study, we developed a paper-based ELISA (P-ELISA) technique for rapid assessment of angiogenin concentration in burn blister fluid. We collected six samples of SPTB blister fluid, six samples of DPTB blister fluid, and seven normal healthy serum samples for analysis. We again chose ELISA to measure and compare angiogenin levels across all of our samples, but we developed a P-ELISA tool and compared sample results from that tool to the results from conventional ELISA. As with conventional ELISA, DPTB blister fluid displayed higher angiogenin levels than SPTB in P-ELISA. Furthermore, our P-ELISA results showed a moderate correlation with conventional ELISA results. This new diagnostic technique facilitates rapid and convenient assessment of burn depth by evaluating a key molecule in burn blister fluid. It presents a novel and easy-to-learn approach that may be suitable for clinically determining burn depth with diagnostic precision.
Highlights
Burn wound prognosis depends on early and rapid diagnosis of burn depth
Due to differential angiogenin levels between Superficial partial-thickness burn (SPTB) and deep partial-thickness burn (DPTB) blister fluids, the objective of this study is to develop a new application of the paper-based ELISA (P-ELISA) tool for the measurement of angiogenin expression in burn blister fluids in order to diagnose burn depth and facilitate improved burn wound care
In order to study the differential expression of angiogenin in burn blisters from wounds of different depths, burn blister fluids were blindly aspirated with a needle from individually intact blisters within the first 3 days following injury and before identification of burn depth
Summary
Burn wound prognosis depends on early and rapid diagnosis of burn depth. Superficial partial-thickness burn (SPTB) wounds heal spontaneously within two weeks of injury without scar formation. Deep partial-thickness burn (DPTB) wounds take more than two weeks to heal and often result in hypertrophic scar formation if no aggressively surgical management. Optimal management of DPTB wounds can prevent skin scarring. Several methods were reported to assess the wound depth, including biopsy, thermography, laser Doppler techniques, and bedside clinical judgment [1]. Clinical assessment and prognosis of second-degree burn wounds with intact blisters become difficult in some cases, even for experienced surgeons. Measurements of tissue perfusion in injured wounds appear to be an option to assess tissue damage extent [3].
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