Does NexoBrid® have antimicrobial properties?

Abstract

We previously published the microbial profile of burn wounds managed with NexoBrid® in Pinderfields Regional Burns Centre, Wakefield, UK. Our results showed no significant changes in bacterial colonisation in burn wounds debrided with NexoBrid®. Previous studies described the antimicrobial properties of bromelain enzyme. To date, the effects of NexoBrid® on microorganisms have not been reported. In this study, a series of lab experiments were conducted to investigate the antimicrobial properties of NexoBrid®. Mueller-Hinton agar plates were pre-treated with NexoBrid® and inoculated with common pathogens after serial dilution. Our results revealed that the pre-treated plates showed reduction in the growth of E. faecalis and S. aureus. No zones of inhibition were observed around NexoBrid® after 18 h of incubation. Where a combination of controls and test solutions were added, no zones of inhibition were seen around the NexoBrid® wells in any of fifty tested organisms. The slightly lower infection rates observed in patients treated with NexoBrid® are more likely to be due to efficient selective debridement of necrotic skin rather than direct antimicrobial action.

Keywords: Antimicrobial; Bromelain; Burns; NexoBrid.