There were about 550,000 burn injuries that received medical attention in the United States in 2017, of which majority were related to first- and second-degree burns. Burns are among the most painful and debilitating wounds and often turn deadly when infection sets in. Till date only a handful of FDA-approved products are available in the market to treat 2nd or 3rd degree burns and scars. Topical agents in treating wounds such as chlorhexidine, proflavine, iodine, H2O2, silver etc. have been used to combat wound infections. However, the relentless emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of pathogens, often with multiple antibiotic resistances, together with the discovery of novel antibiotics has led to the need to find alternative treatments. Herein, we exhibit a novel and cost-effective microbe-resistant “hybrid” membranes engineered using hydrophobic modification, intercalation and exfoliation of organo-modified silicate-based materials and metal ions to prevent infections from ESKAPE pathogens without using expensive or environmentally toxic ions and nanoparticles viz. silver, copper etc. while promoting rapid wound and scar healing. Initial results from the physico-chemical and mechanical analyses have shown optimal moisture transport through the films - an important feature to accelerate the healing cascade for quick recovery. Antimicrobial efficacy tests using B. subtilis bacteria on Ag-clay films showed 100% effectiveness in 18h when compared to controls (silvadene ointment and no treatment). Antimicrobial tests included: (1) zone of inhibition evaluation based on Kirby-Bauer antimicrobial susceptibility test and (2) kill time ttudy evaluation based on USP-51 antimicrobial effectiveness tests. This unique “hybrid” system promotes: (a) prevention and control of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, (b) nontoxic and biodegradable features with optimal O2 and moisture transport through the membrane, (c) easy application on wounds.

Novel microbe-resistant hybrid membranes for healing burns, wounds, and scars

2019 Spring National Meeting

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