Investigating wound microbiota changes in response to wound dressings
Research type
Research Study
Full title
"Investigating resistance and microbiota changes in response to commonly used wound dressings"
IRAS ID
355433
Contact name
Greg Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
PUBLIC HEALTH WALES NHS TRUST
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 20 days
Research summary
The aim of this study will be to analyse any changes to the bacterial population of a wound following exposure to commonly used wound dressings available to nurses at Swansea Bay University Health Board.
There will be 2 stages to this study.
The initial stage (Stage 1), will focus on determining the carriage of genes or mutations that could confer antibiotic and/or silver resistance within enterobacterales bacteria isolated from wounds across Wales. This component of the study is focused on examining trends and patterns across the patient population.
The second stage will focus on a longitudinal analyse the wounds of patients attending the primary care wound clinics of Swansea Bay. This element of the work aims to examine, detect and characterise changes in the population of bacteria found in wounds following exposure to commonly used wound dressings. Molecular/genomics approaches will be used to analyse whether the bacteria are 'switching on', or 'switching off' certain genes, which may result in a failure of wounds to heal properly.
Through this work, there may be opportunities to guide and inform further research in order to modify practice and guidance to improve wound healing.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1741
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion