Review of the role of biofilms in chronic wounds in horses: clinical
indications and treatment strategies
Abstract
Recognition of the role that biofilms play in the persistence of chronic
wounds and lack of response to therapy in horses is increasing.
Prevention of biofilm development in early stages of wound care involves
three primary strategies: wound debridement and cleansing to reduce
bacterial counts in the wound bed, appropriate use of advanced wound
dressings, and implementation of topical antimicrobial agents. Once
formed, eradication of biofilms requires elimination to improve the
wound environment for contraction and epithelialization while not
further harming the native cells integral to the healing process, which
is achieved predominantly through repeated lavage and debridement
combined with topical antimicrobial therapy. This review will establish
why and how biofilms form, how to recognize clinical indications that
biofilms have formed in equine wounds, and to review current diagnostic
options and biofilm-based wound care (BBWC) strategies to eradicate
biofilms. Clinical scenarios for cases in which biofilms developed and
were successfully treated will be presented. This review will advance
practitioners’ understanding of the presence and role of biofilms in
chronic wounds and provide an updated summary of recommended treatment
strategies.