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Clinical Microbiology Reviews, April 2006, p. 403-434, Vol. 19, No. 2
0893-8512/06/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/CMR.19.2.403-434.2006
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Burn Wound Infections

Division of Microbiology, Calgary Laboratory Services,¹ Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine,² Surgery,³ Critical Care, Calgary Health Region and University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada⁴

Burns are one of the most common and devastating forms of trauma. Patients with serious thermal injury require immediate specialized care in order to minimize morbidity and mortality. Significant thermal injuries induce a state of immunosuppression that predisposes burn patients to infectious complications. A current summary of the classifications of burn wound infections, including their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, is given. Early excision of the eschar has substantially decreased the incidence of invasive burn wound infection and secondary sepsis, but most deaths in severely burn-injured patients are still due to burn wound sepsis or complications due to inhalation injury. Burn patients are also at risk for developing sepsis secondary to pneumonia, catheter-related infections, and suppurative thrombophlebitis. The introduction of silver-impregnated devices (e.g., central lines and Foley urinary catheters) may reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections due to prolonged placement of these devices. Improved outcomes for severely burned patients have been attributed to medical advances in fluid resuscitation, nutritional support, pulmonary and burn wound care, and infection control practices.

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