Semipermeable occlusive dressings. Effects on growth of pathogenic bacteria and reepithelialization of superficial wounds.

Six commercially available semiocclusive dressings were tested for their effect on the growth of resident and pathogenic bacteria and the reepithelialization of experimentally induced wounds in human volunteers. Scarification and abrasion-type wounds inoculated with Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were quantitatively cultured at different times after being covered with the dressings. Reepithelialization was assessed by serial stereomicrographs. None of the dressings was able to prevent clinical infection. All dressings provided microenvironments that were conducive to the growth of resident and pathogenic bacteria. There was no difference in the rates of reepithelialization.