Table 1.

Definitions of chronic wound infection

Author(s), year	Definition of infected chronic wounds
Daróczy, 200619	“infection develops if the number of bacteria colonies is so high (105/cm3) that they can cause local and systemic inflammation and toxic symptoms; the number of bacteria depends on more factors: their species and number, the immunological condition of the host organism, the number of bacterial species present, their virulence and synergic connections” – page 83
East et al, 201533	“Infection is defined as purulence or two or more other local signs of inflammation in any tissue or part of the lower limb” – page 3
Gardner et al, 200132	“Infected ulcers were defined as those with 105 or greater organisms per gram of viable, soft wound tissue or wounds containing β‐hemolytic Streptococcus at any level” – page 180
Gardner et al, 200631	“Infected wounds were defined as those containing 1 x 106 or more organisms per gram of tissue” – page 548
Kingsley, 200324	“Infection can be defined as the process by which organisms bind to tissue, multiply, and then invade tissue and elicit a marked immune response” – page 3
Enoch & Harding, 200335	“Wound infection is defined as the presence of replicating microorganisms within a wound with a subsequent host response that leads to a delay in healing.” “The signs and symptoms of local infection are redness (erythema), warmth, swelling, pain and loss of function. Foul odour and pus may accompany this” – page 13/26
Harding et al, 201637	Clinically infected is “defined as a wound that required the use of systemic antibiotics or topical antimicrobials” or “not clinically infected: exhibiting some signs and symptoms of clinical infection, but not requiring antibiotic or topical antimicrobial treatment” – page 443
Bhat et al, 201434	“Wound infection is defined as the presence of replicating microorganisms within a wound with a subsequent host response that leads to delayed healing.” “It is important that infection is recognised as early as possible” – page 135
Woo & Sibbald, 200936	Superficial critical colonisation or convert infection, or localised infection, or increased bacterial burden: “replicating microbial burden in the wound surface compartment with subtle clinical signs of host injury” – page 41 Deep wound infection: “level of microbial burden or virulence has overwhelmed the host responses and the microorganisms cause clinical injury by invading locally (surrounding or deep skin below the wound base) before potential systemic sepsis” – page 41
Wounds Australia, 201110	“Wound infection can be defined as multiplication of bacteria that overwhelm host defences, resulting in disruption of healing and damage the wound. Wound infection can result in local and systemic host responses” – page 4