Alginate films augmented with chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate particles provide sustained antimicrobial properties for application in wound care.

All chronic wounds are colonised by bacteria; for some, colonisation progresses to become infection. Alginate wound dressings are used for highly exuding chronic wounds as they are very absorbent, taking up large quantities of exudate while maintaining a moist wound bed to support healing. Some alginate dressings are doped with antimicrobials, most commonly silver, but evidence regarding the efficacy of these is largely inconclusive.

Glass ionomer cements with milled, dry chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate filler particles to provide long-term antimicrobial properties with recharge capacity.

Objective: Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are a versatile material, offering the opportunity for ion exchange with the oral environment. The aim of this study was to develop a GIC that delivers a controlled, rechargeable dose of chlorhexidine (CHX) over an extended period without compromising mechanical properties.

Methods: GICs were supplemented with finely milled particles of chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate (CHX-HMP).

A novel flow-system to establish experimental biofilms for modelling chronic wound infection and testing the efficacy of wound dressings.

Several models exist for the study of chronic wound infection, but few combine all of the necessary elements to allow high throughput, reproducible biofilm culture with the possibility of applying topical antimicrobial treatments. Furthermore, few take into account the appropriate means of providing nutrients combined with biofilm growth at the air-liquid interface. In this manuscript, a new biofilm flow device for study of wound biofilms is reported.