Antimicrobial Wound Dressing. Phase 1

Abstract : The main objective of Phase I of this SBIR project was to demonstrate the feasibility for successful development of an antimicrobial wound dressing based on a hydrogel sustained release matrix. This goal has been achieved. In vitro studies of drug diffusion have demonstrated that BIOTEK wound dressings can release antimicrobial agents for up to one week. Wound dressings based on polyvinyl alcohol, polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate, polyacrylamide and polyethylene oxide have been evaluated. Release rates are dependent upon water content, degree of hydrogel crosslinking, concentration of plasticizer, polymer molecular weight, degree of hydrolysis of polyvinyl alcohol, and solubility of the antimicrobial agent. A wide range of release rates may be achieved by selection of the proper hydrogel matrix. Polyvinyl alcohol based hydrogels containing either tetracycline free base or chlorhexidine diphosphanilate were efficacious In vivo in a wound model with an established Streptococcus pyogenes infection. In addition chlorhexidine diphosphanilate hydrogels were efficacious against established staphylococcus aureus infections and mixed infections containing both organisms.