Scanning electron microscopy and microbiological evaluation of equine burn wound repair after platelet-rich plasma gel treatment

Deep second-degree burns (DSDb) involve all epidermis layers, including the basal laminae. In general, DSDb heals with extensive areas of scarring. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a source of growth factors, obtained by centrifugation and addition of thrombin and calcium, resulting in a gel. The objective of this study was to monitor the healing of DSDb by sequential biopsies after PRP treatment and evaluating by a scanning electron microscopy. Also, characterize bacterial profile and PRP antibacterial effect in horses' burns. Four horses were placed into two groups, G1 and G2, with the groups receiving 1 and 2 treatments of PRP, respectively. Control groups (Gc1 and Gc2) were treated with saline solution. DSDb were made by infliction of hot iron after epidermis dissection. Biopsies were performed 5, 15, 25 and 40 days after PRP treatment, and swab collections were performed 30 days after PRP treatment. At d25, G1 showed a higher amount of fibrils compared with Gc1, and the organization of G2 was similar to that of uninjured tissue. At d40, G1 resembled intact tissue and G2 showed dense tissue. All groups had bacterial contamination but no infection. PRP accelerated repair, induced fibroses and probably provided antibacterial activity in horses with DSDb.