Amnion as an Innovative Antiseptic Carrier: A Comparison of the Efficacy of Allogeneic and Xenogeneic Transplantations in the Context of Burn Therapy

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The amniotic membrane is widely used in the treatment of chronic wounds, in toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and in the treatment of burns. In our clinical practice, we use amniotic dressings on shallow skin wounds caused by burns. Counteracting infections is an important aspect of working with burn wounds. Therefore, the main goals of this work are to demonstrate the usefulness of amniotic membrane soaked in antiseptics for the prevention of wound infections and to compare the antibacterial efficacy of selected variants of allogeneic and xenogeneic amniotic membrane grafts soaked in specific antiseptic agents. Materials and Methods: The studied material consisted of human and pig placenta. The human and animal amnions were divided in two parts. The first part consisted of amniotic discs placed on rigid mesh discs and preparing the fresh amnion. The second part of the amnion was frozen at a temperature of −80 °C for 24 h. Then, it was radio-sterilized with a dose of 35 kGy. The amniotic discs were placed on rigid mesh to prepare the radiation-sterilized amnion. The amniotic discs were placed in a 12-well plate and immersed in 3 mL of the appropriate antiseptic solutions: Prontosan, Braunol, Borasol, Microdacyn, Octenilin, Sutrisept, and NaCl as a control. The amniotic discs were incubated in antiseptics for 3 h. The microbiological tests were conducted by placing the antiseptic-infused amniotic discs on microbiological media inoculated with hospital strains. Results: The largest average zone of growth inhibition was observed in dressings soaked with Sutrisept, Braunol, and Prontosan. The greatest inhibition of bacterial growth was achieved for radiation-sterilized porcine amnion impregnated with Braunol and Sutrisept, as well as for radiation-sterilized human amnion impregnated with Braunol. Conclusions: Human and porcine amniotic membrane is effective in carrying antiseptics. Radiation-sterilized amnion seems to inhibit the growth of microorganisms better than fresh amnion.