We previously reported on PRODIGI, a handheld autofluorescence imaging platform for real-time detection and tracking of bacterial infections in wounds. Canadian molecular imaging scientist Dr. Ralph DaCosta and colleagues at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network (Toronto), have now published first-in-human results describing the use of PRODIGI for point-of-care real-time sampling and treatment guidance of bioburden in chronic wounds.
The PLOS ONE publication describes two single-center, non-randomized trials that assessed the use of PRODIGI for real-time autofluorescence imaging of bacteria in diabetic foot ulcer patients. The team showed that PRODIGI detects the distribution of clinically-relevant levels of bacterial pathogens and wound infection, guides more accurate wound sampling and antimicrobial wound treatment (including debridement), increases the rate of wound closure compared with standard of care, and objectively tracks treatment response over time. By providing a quantitative means of tracking changes in wound bioburden over time, PRODIGI enables identification of wounds that require urgent clinical attention in patients who may be asymptomatic and may not display the traditional signs and symptoms of infection.
This work represents a significant technological and clinical advancement in wound assessment, sampling, treatment guidance, and treatment response tracking. Moreover, it underscores the need to improve conventional wound sampling practices and clinical protocols for wound infection diagnosis and treatment, which currently rely on subjective and sub-optimal assessments.
PRODIGI is approved by Health Canada for clinical testing and is being commercially developed by MolecuLight Inc., a company that is working to bring PRODIGI to the global wound care market.
Flashback: New Autofluorescence Imaging Platform Detects and Tracks Bacteria in Chronic Wounds
Study in PLoS ONE: Point-of-Care Autofluorescence Imaging for Real-Time Sampling and Treatment Guidance of Bioburden in Chronic Wounds: First-in-Human Results
Link: DaCosta Lab
Link: MolecuLight homepage…