Posted on 06/06/2009 6:20:34 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Bandages and ointments infused with essence of maggot may soon be coming to a drugstore near you.
Battlefield medics hundreds of years ago were the first to notice that bloody wounds infested with maggots actually heal faster than "clean" wounds.
Today hospitals around the world breed selected fly larvae in sterile environments. These "medical maggots" are applied directly to wounds such as ulcers and burns, which are otherwise difficult to heal.
There is no question that the somewhat grim technique works. But how maggot therapy heals has long been a matter of debate.
The secret, according to a new study, is in a fluid secreted by the maggots to help them consume decaying tissue.
In many wounds that are not readily healing, tissue decays and dies, allowing bacteria to thrive. This creates irritation that further prevents proper healing.
"We have produced an enzyme from the maggot fluid with the capacity to remove decaying tissue from the wound, giving the underlying tissue a better chance to heal," said David Pritchard, a researcher working on the project at the University of Nottingham School of Pharmacy in the U.K.
"Now that we understand the 'mechanism of maggots,' we are translating this knowledge to make effective wound-care products."
A bandage impregnated with maggot "juice" is one possibility. But a gel containing maggot enzymes is the most likely product, Pritchard said. Such a gel could be spread over wounds to promote healing.
While the idea might make some patients' stomachs turn, maggot-based medicines aren't expected to have many side effects.
"There are few reports of adverse reactions to maggots, and since the enzymes that we are producing are already secreted by [medical] maggots into wounds, we do not expect adverse reactions to these enzymes," Pritchard said.
Despite the success, working with maggots isn't the sort of job that makes a research team popular with its neighbors, Pritchard added.
I first saw this technique in the movie Gladiator. I was impressed by the simplicity of it. It makes sense. Maggots eat away the dead tissue while leaving the enzymes behind to speed up the healing.
ping
Maggot and Leech therapy is pretty gross but effective, I’ve seen video of leeches used to fight gangrene.
The maggots spit out the enzymes on to the decaying flesh. The enzymes liquefy the tissue. The maggots then consume the liquid.
This removes the decaying tissue that is an environment for bacterial growth.
“Make your wounds fly away” with Maggoty Ann strips by BandAid.
We are not talking minor cuts and scrapes here.
Maggots are used for major wounds. Like large third degree burns, also gangrenous wounds on people with circulatory problems.
This ointment is not likely to be an over the counter cream. This is going to be a prescription only medicine usually used in hospitals.
The patients that receive this ointment will already be under care for other health problems.
You phrased better than I could, but you get the idea. The Enzymes do the work.
.There was a special on maggots for wounds on TV When they are first applied to the area, the maggots are very small,and are embedded into a sterile dressing. they grow as they eat the dead tissue...don't know anything about any enzymes. They only consume dead tissue and leave live tissue alone..
How much Carville is there to go around?
Thanks JPB! I’m sure there’s a political joke lurking out there, but I’m not gonna even take a stab at it.
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