What Are Biofilms?

Biofilms have been documented in fossil form since about 3.25 billion years ago⁸. A biofilm is a collection of microbial cells that are encased in a polysaccharide-based matrix and are permanently attached to a surface (i.e., cannot be removed by mild rinsing). Depending on the environment in which the biofilm has formed, non-cellular substances such as mineral crystals, corrosion particles, clay or silt particles, or blood components may also be present in the biofilm matrix⁷. Biofilms can develop on a number of surfaces, including living tissues, piping in industrial or potable water systems, and aquatic ecosystems in the wild⁷.

The formation of these diverse bacterial ecosystems means individual bacterias become tough and resistant to treatment. In comparison to free-floating or individual bacteria, biofilms can be up to 1,500 times more resistant to antibiotics⁸. In 2002, the National Institutes of Health suggested biofilms accounted for over 80 percent of microbial infections in the body⁸. In addition to other illnesses and drug resistance, bacterial biofilms have been linked to infective endocarditis and pneumonia in people with cystic fibrosis⁸. While they’re are a very natural phenomena, biofilms present multiple challenges to physicians including antibiotic resistance and ineffective wound treatment.

Impact on Wounds and Wound Treatment

Bacterial biofilm contamination is a major contributor to chronic wounds⁴⁻⁵. When surveying chronic versus acute wounds via microscopy, 30 of 50 (60%) contained biofilms, compared with 1 of 16 (6%) in acute wounds⁶. Biofilms can be especially problematic in chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and venous leg ulcers⁷. These types of wounds often have a reduced blood flow, which means that oxygen and other substances necessary for healing are not being delivered effectively⁷. Biofilms develop incredibly fast, meaning they must be targeted immediately in early wound treatment⁶. Research indicates wound care treatments that effectively target and inactivate biofilms lead to better wound healing outcomes⁴. Studies show that multimodal wound treatment strategies are necessary to effectively target wound biofilms⁵⁻⁶. Treatments should include wound debridement, application of antimicrobial treatment, and continued disruption of biofilms⁶.

Hypochlorous: Effectively Removing Biofilm

Existing research supports the use of hypochlorous acid as a means of efficacious biofilm disruption and elimination. With the right delivery mechanism, hypochlorous acid can mechanically remove biofilm formed by microbes and extracellular polymeric matrix materials associated with biofilms¹⁻³. Studies indicate that hypochlorous acid may assist in the management of chronic wounds through reducing the bacterial counts and penetrating and disrupting the protein matrix of wound pathogen biofilms³.

Pressurized Wound Cleansing

Studies show pressurized wound therapy with irrigation may lower the bacterial burden in chronic wounds and prevent the biofilm formation⁶. Disrupting the biofilm extracellular polysaccharide matrix via debridement, which can be achieved through mechanical pressurized therapy, can prevent the reattachment of bacterial pathogens⁶.

BIHOCL PureCleanse: A Multimodal Approach

The BIHOCL PureCleanse Plus wound cleansing system was engineered to integrate a multimodal approach to wound treatment, within a single product. The pressurized delivery system effectively cleanses and debrides the wound at an optimized pressure; immediately removing debris and preventing the formation of biofilms while the hypochlorous acid wound solution provides antimicrobial treatment as it safely and effectively inactivates biofilms and pathogens.

Due to how early biofilm tends to develop in a wound site, it's vital that the BIHOCL PureCleanse Plus system is used both as a preventative first-step treatment as well as a therapeutic treatment.

Discover BIHOCL PureCleanse today, or contact us for more information!