Nicola Reeves1, Samuel Phillips2, Aron Hughes2, Sarah Maddocks3, Matthew Bates4, Jared Torkington5, Lori Robins6, Julie Cornish5. 1. Colorectal Surgery Department, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. Nicolareeves@doctors.org.uk. 2. Cardiff University Medical School, Cardiff, UK. 3. Microbiology and Infection Research Group, Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK. 4. Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK. 5. Colorectal Surgery Department, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. 6. Physical Sciences Division, School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, University of Washington Bothell, 18115 Campus Way NE, Box 358500, Bothell, WA, 98011-8246, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The normal healing of surgical wounds can be disrupted by infection and/or dehiscence, leading to development of chronic, non-healing wounds (NHW). Diagnosis of NHWs is via clinical acumen and analysis of microbiology wound swabs. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted generally by human subjects and specifically as products of bacterial metabolism and are detected in the wound area. This systematic review will assess the potential use of VOCs released by surgical wounds as a non-invasive method for identifying bacterial species and the progression to NHW. METHOD: A systematic search of studies, via PRISMA guidelines, was conducted. Of 220 papers screened, seven studies were included. Outcome data were extracted on methods for VOC analysis and wound/bacterial VOC profiles. RESULTS: The studies have shown that VOC profiles are identified by two methods: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and electronic nose. There are VOC profiles associated with causative bacterial species, with early indications that they could be anatomically specific or could monitor treatment effects. CONCLUSION: VOC profiling of bacterial species within wounds is possible and could become a point of care test. More research is needed on specific VOC profiles to wound location and whether these profiles may predict progression to NHW.
BACKGROUND: The normal healing of surgical wounds can be disrupted by infection and/or dehiscence, leading to development of chronic, non-healing wounds (NHW). Diagnosis of NHWs is via clinical acumen and analysis of microbiology wound swabs. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted generally by human subjects and specifically as products of bacterial metabolism and are detected in the wound area. This systematic review will assess the potential use of VOCs released by surgical wounds as a non-invasive method for identifying bacterial species and the progression to NHW. METHOD: A systematic search of studies, via PRISMA guidelines, was conducted. Of 220 papers screened, seven studies were included. Outcome data were extracted on methods for VOC analysis and wound/bacterial VOC profiles. RESULTS: The studies have shown that VOC profiles are identified by two methods: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and electronic nose. There are VOC profiles associated with causative bacterial species, with early indications that they could be anatomically specific or could monitor treatment effects. CONCLUSION: VOC profiling of bacterial species within wounds is possible and could become a point of care test. More research is needed on specific VOC profiles to wound location and whether these profiles may predict progression to NHW.
Authors: Ceri J Phillips; Ioan Humphreys; Jacqui Fletcher; Keith Harding; George Chamberlain; Steven Macey Journal: Int Wound J Date: 2015-03-26 Impact factor: 3.315
Authors: Leanne Atkin; Zofia Bućko; Elena Conde Montero; Keith Cutting; Christine Moffatt; Astrid Probst; Marco Romanelli; Gregory S Schultz; William Tettelbach Journal: J Wound Care Date: 2019-03-01 Impact factor: 2.072
Authors: Alexis N Thomas; Svetlana Riazanskaia; William Cheung; Yun Xu; Royston Goodacre; C L Paul Thomas; Mohamed S Baguneid; Ardeshir Bayat Journal: Wound Repair Regen Date: 2010-05-11 Impact factor: 3.617