Evolution of bacterial diversity in burned victims

Abstract

The death of a burned patient is most often caused by an infection, the vast majority of which are bacterial. The loss of the skin barrier, invasive devices and immunosuppression associated with the burn are three mechanisms contributing to the occurrence of these infections. In an inflammatory patient, the general infectious signs of infection are not very discriminating. Because of the severity of infections in this patient, their prevention is an essential management parameter. Due to the pharmacokinetic characteristics of burned patients, antibiotic dosages must be adapted and blood tests must be systematic. At a time when resistance is becoming obvious, research into alternative therapies (including virulence factor counteractants, antimicrobial peptides, polyphenols, immunotherapy, etc.) is crucial. We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 8 years, involving 30 burned patients hospitalized in the general surgery department of the regional military university hospital of Oran who all the patients showed an infection confirmed either by skin or blood sampling. Several germs were found with a clear predominance of Pseudomonas aeregunisa sensitive to ceftazidime and all other germs to imipenem. In the light of our results, we can say that in the burned patient, the antibiotic therapy must never be probabilistic, it must be adapted to the bacteriological studies and the antibiograms.