Abstract: Wound infection and tissue damage are common and sever complications of injuries and burns sustained in baffle. The surgical excision of dead and devitalized tissue, antibiotics, and the removal of foreign matter are the mainstay of current therapies. Prevailing treatment strategies are restricted, however, by the inability to initiate effective countermeasures until removal from the uncontrolled environment of the field of battle. This results in high rates of infections and serious medical complications. Mammalian secretory fluids maintain antimicrobial activity as part of host defenses against invading bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Among the agents that provide antimicrobial protection in these fluids are the copper-containing protein ceruloplasmin, and the leukocyte-derived hemoprotein enzymes myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase. Peroxidases and ceruloplasmin interact with microbes and may serve as Enzymatic Wound Disinfectants by catalyzing the formation of reactive oxidants and diffusible radical species that inflict oxidative damage upon invading parasites and pathogens. We propose to develop and test Enzymatic Wound Disinfectants as a practical, rapid, and effective treatment for wounds and burns. Molecular biological efforts will focus on the cloning, expression, isolation, and engineering of thermostable, protease-resistant peroxidases and ceruloplasmin. Biochemical and physiological initiatives will focus on characterizing enzymatic activity and stability, mechanisms of action, and clinical utility.
| Limitations: |
 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE |
| Description: |
Annual rept. 1 Sep 2001-31 Aug 2002 |
| Pages: |
12 |
| Report Date: |
SEP 2002 |
| Contract Number: |
DAMD17-01-1-0826 |
| Report Number: |
A824704 |
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