Chronic ulcers: a method for sampling and analysis of wound fluid.

There is growing evidence that chronic wounds show specific temporospatial patterns with respect to the expression of various molecules such as proteinases and their inhibitors. A careful analysis of molecules in the exudate of chronic wounds can be expected to provide useful information regarding events in the underlying tissue. In this connection there is a need for a method applicable to large amounts of patient material for collecting and analysing wound fluid from leg ulcers. A method of this sort is described. Wound fluid is accumulated for a defined period of time in Whatman GF/D filters. The filters are then extracted with isotonic buffer. Cells and other debris are centrifuged down and the supernatant is analysed further. The analysis can include electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels, HPLC ion exchange chromatography and Western blotting techniques. The method will be useful for the sampling and analysis of wound fluid from patients with wounds of different aetiologies.