Bioburden-Biofilms in Inflammation
Webinar 4 of 6 in the Inflammation and Wound Chronicity series.
Bacterial biofilms are known to play major roles in multiple diseases that are characterized by chronic inflammation and tissue breakdown, such as osteomyelitis, cystic fibrosis, chronic sinusitis, and catheter infections. Recent data have established that >80% of chronic skin wounds have bacterial biofilms that contribute to the chronic inflammation state and resulting elevated levels of proteases (MMPs and elastase) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that destroy proteins that are essential for healing. Biofilm based wound care emphasizes the importance of “step down therapy” that starts with treatments that most effectively debride biofilms and combined with treatments that kill residual biofilms and prevent new biofilms from forming. As inflammation is reduced and protease levels decrease, treatments are shifted to advanced agents that actively promote healing such as growth factors, dermal matrix dressings, biologically active membrane dressings and skin grafts.
Intended Audience
Physicians, PAs, NPs, Nurses, Discharge Planners, Admissions Coordinators, Social Services.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of program:- Identify the phases of wound healing and the mechanisms of inflammation.
- Recognize the wound which has stalled in healing due to excessive inflammation.
- Describe clinical strategies to treat excessive inflammation.
- Demonstrate that implementation of appropriate management algorithms improves patient healing and clinical outcomes.
- Demonstrate team based communication that will foster implementation of appropriate management algorithms resulting in improved patient healing and clinical outcomes.
Faculty
Dr. Schultz is Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Director of the Institute for Wound Research at the University of Florida. Dr. Schultz completed a PhD in Biochemistry from Oklahoma State University and Postdoctoral training in Cell Biology at Yale University. Dr. Schultz's research focuses on the molecular regulation of wound healing, with an emphasis on anti-scarring therapies and the roles of elevated proteases and bacterial biofilms in chronic wounds. Dr. Schultz has authored over 325 scientific publications that have been cited more than 14,000 times with an h-index of 61, is PI or Co-investigator on grants totaling over $35 million, is an inventor on 27 patents and a co-founder of two biotech companies. He was recognized by TIME magazine as an Innovation Leader in 2006. He served as a member of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel from 2007-2010, and served as President of the Wound Healing Society from 1999-2001 and was elected a Silver Fellow of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in 2010.
