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Reactive Oxygen Species Treatment in the Management of Wounds

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Burns, Infections and Wound Management

Part of the book series: Recent Clinical Techniques, Results, and Research in Wounds ((RCTRRW,volume 2))

Abstract

Bacterial colonisation and biofilm production with subsequent inflammation and infection are a huge global health problem in wounds especially in diabetics, burn victims and the elderly. In an era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, there are few entirely novel antimicrobial agents in development. The only such therapy to reach clinical use is one using reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxygen radicals, as an antimicrobial mechanism. ROS can be delivered to the site of infection in various formats. ROS is highly antimicrobial against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses and fungi. It prevents and breaks down biofilm. These functions make ROS potentially highly suitable for chronic soft tissue inflammation: wounds, ulcers and burns. In addition to its therapeutic role, ROS could play an important part in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.

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Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank the following colleagues for their contributions to work on ROS presented at a symposium on ROS at the University of Birmingham, 2016 [4].

Hampshire Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust: Kordo Saeed, Amy Dickson, Gemma Lockyer

Southampton University: Rami Salib, Sylvia Pender, Ray Allan, Ali Salamat, Timothy Biggs

Birmingham University: Fenella Halstead, Beryl Oppenheim. Manchester University: Jonathan Cooke, Malcolm Richardson. Cardiff University and Swansea University: Rodri Williams, Rhidian Morgan-Jones

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Correspondence to Matthew S. Dryden M.D. .

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Dryden, M.S. (2017). Reactive Oxygen Species Treatment in the Management of Wounds. In: Shiffman, M., Low, M. (eds) Burns, Infections and Wound Management. Recent Clinical Techniques, Results, and Research in Wounds, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/15695_2017_39

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/15695_2017_39

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-10685-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-10686-7

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