MRSA Infected Wounds: A Study Involving Oakin® Antimicrobial Dressings

Wound care practitioners are no doubt aware that the incidence of MRSA infected wounds in the community is increasing, resulting in new challenges in wound management. A study that appeared in the Journal of Wound Care (February, 2014) describes a new approach to the treatment of wounds infected with MRSA using a dressing derived from natural tannins and incorporating components of the de-escalation theory.

 De-escalation Theory of Antimicrobials

The de-escalation theory can be defined as “the streamlining of empirical antimicrobial therapy based on the culture results for severe infection…which can more effectively target the particular causative pathogens which results in decreased antimicrobial exposure” (Graham & Bhatia, 2014). The theory considers the patient’s risk factors for MRSA, including:

• recent/current hospitalization
• geographic location
• living in a long term care facility
• prior history of infection/colonization with MRSA
• presence of invasive devices
• association with health care workers
• chronic illness
• living in crowded/unsanitary housing/conditions
• treatment with antibiotics within the past year
• immune system disorder or weakness
• age (younger or older in age)
• participating in sports/sharing towels or athletic equipment

In addition to determining the patient’s individual risk factors for MRSA, de-escalation in terms of the study discussed here considers the following important points:

• cultures should always be obtained of any sites suspicious for infection prior to antibiotic therapy
• the initial empiric therapy chosen should be based on most likely pathogen suspected, cost-effectiveness and impact on the potential development of antibiotic resistance
• any recent antibiotic therapy should be considered, as it may have altered the patient’s normal flora
• patients who are immune compromised or who are severely ill may require broader empiric antibiotic coverage

In essence, this theory serves to encourage practitioners to carefully consider whether antibiotics are necessary and, if they are deemed necessary, which antibiotic(s) should be chosen based on the factors listed above.

Oakin Wound Dressing Info

Today’s wound dressings may contain a variety of antimicrobial agents, including ionized silver, iodine, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PMB) and tannins. Oakin is a natural tannin made from oak extract. It is known to be effective against 51 bacterial and fungal pathogens, including VRE and MRSA. The AmeriGel Wound Dressing, manufactured by Amerx Health Care Corporation, is designed to be used on wounds that are hydrogel-appropriate: in other words, wounds that do not have exudate, wounds that are dry and require moisture, or wounds that have only minimal exudate.

Lower Extremity Wound Study

Study authors G.S. Graham & A. Bhatia developed a protocol to treat lower extremity wounds infected with MRSA and caused by various etiologies: pressure ulcers (7 participants; 17%), venous insufficiency ulcers (10 participants; 25%), and diabetic neuropathic ulcers (23 participants; 58%). The study participants (n=40) had a single lower extremity wound that was culture positive for MRSA and was hydrogel-appropriate.

After giving informed consent, wound cultures were obtained from participants who presented with classic signs of infection (erythema, edema, warmth, pain and purulent discharge or exudate). All participants who took part in the study were evaluated for their risk factors for MRSA, according to the risk factors listed above. Participants were evaluated and treated according to a protocol designed by the author, which included:

• sharp wound debridement (performed every 7 to 14 days, depending on the wound care setting)
• wound culture
• antibiotic therapy (when appropriate)
• daily dressing change using Oakin antimicrobial hydrogel (performed by patients or their caregivers after necessary teaching and provision of a wound care instruction sheet)

Antibiotic therapy was reassessed once wound cultures were available to ensure that the identified pathogens were covered appropriately. Oral antibiotics were added according to the patients’ allergies, comorbidities, vascular condition, insurance coverage/ability to pay and drug resistance if wounds failed to improve. Participants were followed for 12 weeks and wounds were reassessed at 30, 60 and 90 days, or until wound closure was achieved.

The results of the study revealed the following:

• 35% of the wounds healed in 30 days, 60% in 60 days and 78% in 90 days (after 90 days, the remaining participants were no longer followed)
• 10% received no empiric therapy (their only treatment was the Oakin antimicrobial wound dressing)
• the Oakin dressings were well tolerated, and none of the participants experienced an allergic or adverse reaction

This was a small study; obviously, larger studies are needed to verify results. However, the results indicate that this protocol utilizing Oakin antimicrobial dressings was effective for treating individuals with lower extremity wounds infected with MRSA.

“Oakin® promotes faster healing in wounds such as diabetic skin ulcers, pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, scrapes, cuts, rashes and resolves skin irritations caused by bacteria and fungus. The unique benefits of Oakin® have earned Amerigel® Wound Dressing  high ratings for topical wound / ulcer treatment by wound care professionals.”

Source:

Graham, G., Bhatia, A. (2014). Healing outcomes of MRSA-infected wounds with a protocol combining Oakin dressing with elements of de-escalation theory. Journal of Wound Care, APWH Supplement 23(2), February 2014.