Another medical innovation has been made that would prevent and treat infections easier. A "smart dressing" that changes colour when it detects infection could be a life-saver and could cut the unnecessary use of antibiotics according to scientists.
As reported in BBC News, the medical patch works by releasing fluorescent dye from tiny capsules when toxins are released by bacteria in a wound. In turn, the dressing can speed up diagnosis and treatment of infections, prevent fatal sepsis and help combat antibiotic resistance according to scientists.
Dr. Toby Jenkins describes how the medical patch works, reader in biophysical chemistry at Bath and project leader, "Our medical dressing works by releasing fluorescent dye from nanocapsules triggered by the toxins secreted by disease-causing bacteria within the wound."
"Using this dressing will allow clinicians to quickly identify infections without removing it. Patients can be diagnosed and treated faster. It could really help to save lives".
"The nanocapsules mimic skin cells in that they only break open when toxic bacteria are present; they aren't affected by the harmless bacteria that normally live on healthy skin", he added.
Antibiotic resistance has been identified by world leaders as one of the biggest health threats we face today.
It is reported that this medical dressing could prove useful to children with burn wounds since they are susceptible to bacterial infections because of their immature immune systems. These infections could slow the healing of wounds that could lead to longer stay in hospital. Worse, it could also lead to permanent scarring and death.
According to BT, the prototype dressing has been developed by scientists at the University of Bath. They have collaborated with the Healing Foundation Children's Burn Research Centre based in the Bristol Children's Hospital and the University of Brighton to develop the dressing.
Reports from Mirror UK reveal that the Medical Research Council has given Bath University £1 million for tests on burn victims at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
According to Dr. Amber Young, the one who led the testing of the prototype at the hospital, children are at risk of serious infection even from small burns.
"However, with current methods clinicians can't tell whether a sick child might have a raised temperature due to a serious bacterial burn wound infection, or just from a simple cough or cold", Dr. Young said.
"Being able to detect infection quickly and accurately with this wound dressing will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of young children by allowing doctors to provide the right care at the right time, and also, importantly, reduce the global threat of antibiotic resistance," Dr. Young added.
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