Abstract: A proposal for a post-treatment wound outcome tool is presented to help in documenting and tracking the final outcome of a wound treated at a health facility or clinic or by a provider. It is expected that a measure of the final treatment outcome will become more important in the future and affect reimbursement for care.

Abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to characterize changes in concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-1b, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in wound fluid collected from pressure ulcers in adults treated with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT; V.A.C.® Therapy, KCI, San Antonio, Tex). Wound fluids were collected from 8 patients with Stage III or IV pressure ulcers in home care and extended care settings. Concentrations of analytes were measured immediately prior to initiation of NPWT (Day 0) and at Days 1, 3, and 7 continuous NPWT. There were statistically significant (P < 0.05) decreases from baseline in the levels of MMP-3 (Day 0 > [Day 1 ~ Day 3 ~ Day 7]), MMP-9 (Day 0 > [Day 1 ~ Day 3]), and MMP-3:TIMP-1 ratios (Day 0 > [Day 1 ~ Day 3 ~ Day 7]). No other significant differences were detected. Previous studies have shown a consistent decrease in protease levels to have prognostic value

Abstract: Although remarkable advances in the development of antibacterial agents for infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus began in the 1940s, treatment of this pathogen is still a challenge for clinicians. The emergence of S aureus strains with resistance to penicillin and methicillin in 1948 and 1961 and the recent reports of vancomycin-resistant strains indicate that the battle against this versatile pathogen is not yet over. This review discusses the newly developed antimicrobial agents, mechanisms of action, in-vitro studies, and emerging trends in S aureus resistance to these antibacterial agents. The availability of linezolid in intravenous and oral form is an advantage for the treatment of pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infection. Daptomycin is recommended for the treatment of deep-seated infections, such as endocarditis or osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant S aureus. Tigecycline is a promising antibacterial agent in cases of complicated intra-abdominal inf