Microbiological assessment of cadaver skin grafts received in a Skin Bank.

Abstract

Study on the microbiological assessment of cadaver skin grafts was undertaken in the Skin Bank at the Department of Surgery in L.T.M. Medical College and Hospital, Mumbai, India. Microbiology of the skin grafts was studied immediately on receipt and after antibiotic treatment. The antimicrobial and antifungal agents used were crystalline penicillin, gentamicin, amikacin, ceftazidime and amphotericin B. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species were the predominant microorganisms isolated on pre-processing cultures from cadaver skin grafts. Seventy percent of pre-processing cultures showed growth. After first cycle antibiotic treatment, 52.4% of grafts showing growth became sterile. Growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae persisted in two cases, even after 2nd cycle of antibiotic treatment. After the use of antifungal, 57.1% of those showing fungal growth became sterile. Various antibiotics and antifungals can be used in order to minimize the discard rate of skin grafts.