Plasters glow under UV light when the infection is present British scientists have developed a new 'wonder plaster' which glows when it detects infection. The dressing has been developed to detect the early signs of Toxic shock syndrome - an often fatal complication in young children with burn injuries.
The plaster, which was developed at the University of Bath, glows under UV light when an infection is detected within the burn, alerting healthcare professionals of the presence of disease.
It works by releasing dye from nanocapsules triggered by the presence of disease-causing bacteria.
The nanocapsules mimic skin cells in that they only break open when toxic bacteria are present, not responding to the harmless bacteria that normally live on healthy skin.
The onset of Toxic shock syndrome can be very sudden and can turn a small burn into something potentially fatal within a few hours.
Current methods of detecting infection take between 24 and 48 hours to get an accurate response, during which time the patient could die as the fast-spreading infection ravages their body.
While it can detect the infection, the new plaster does not interfere with the skin's normal healing process.
Dr Amber Young, consultant paediatric anaesthetist at the South West Paediatric Burns Centre at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, is the clinical consultant on the project.
She said: ‘This new dressing will mean we will be able to detect the early signs of infection so we can diagnose and treat the child quickly.
“It could make a real difference to the lives of many thousands of children.”
Tests have already been completed on skin samples in the lab and safety trials are expected to begin on humans within the next four years.
Around 5,000 children suffer relatively minor burns each year, with scalding by hot drinks topping the list of causes.
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare bacterial infection which normally lives harmlessly on the skin but which can invade the body’s bloodstream and release poisonous toxins.
These toxins cause a sudden high fever and a massive drop in blood pressure, resulting in dizziness and confusion. They can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
The toxins also damage tissue, including skin and organs, and can disturb many vital organ functions.
If it is diagnosed early and treated with antibiotics there is a good chance of recovery.
However, if left untreated, the combination of shock and organ damage will often result in death.