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Biofilms are a model of bacterial growth in which microorganisms are associated with a surface and enclosed in a matrix that confers protection. Biofilm formation is often associated with failure of the normal wound healing process and represents a key challenge in the treatment of chronic wounds. In fact, bacteria encapsulated in biofilm can be up to 1,000-fold more resistant to treatment than the same free-floating planktonic organisms (Microbial Biofilm: from Ecology to Molecular Genetics, Davey et al, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 2000).
A preclinical study conducted by D’Atanasio et al (A new acid-oxidizing solution: assessment of its role on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm morphological changes, Wounds, 2015) has investigated how in vitro biofilm formation and eradication may be modulated in presence of wound cleansers. Specifically Nexodyn and two other marketed products (RP) were used: the first (RP1) containing betaine and polyhexanide, and the second (RP2) containing sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid.
The experiments show that following washings with Nexodyn there is the release of free-floating bacteria as a consequence of morphological modifications of the biofilm structure; in presence of RP1 the biofilm appears disrupted, while in presence of RP2 the matrix of the biofilm appears less dense but well visible without frank presentation of free-floating bactieria. Assessing product safety with the alamarBlue metabolic activity assay, Nexodyn showed stronger cell viability preservation (residual viability higher than 80% at 72 hours) than RP1 and RP2 (residual viability of about 50% already after 52 hours).
These data suggest that Nexodyn can be a useful device in the management of chronic wounds as it modulates the microenvironment resulting in facilitated accessibility to bacteria in presence of biofilm while preserving cell viability, a key element to assist physiological wound repair.