Abstract: The combination of a first species which is a polyanionic compound and a second species which is an antimicrobial agent is used for the treatment of microbial biofilms and for the topical treatment of wounds. The combination may be incorporated in a wound dressing. The polyanionic compound may be a polyphosphate, such as an alkali metal polyphosphate, e.g. sodium hexametaphosphate. Examples of antimicrobial agents include metallic silver, silver compounds, iodine, PHMB (polyhexamethylene biguanide), acetic acid, chlorhexidine, aminoglycosides (e.g. amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin and tobramycin), ansamycins, carbacephem, cephalosporins, glycopeptides (e.g. vancomycin), macrolides (eg clarithromycin), monobactams and sulfonamides).

Abstract: A method of diagnosis or prediction of infection of a mammalian wound, said method comprising the step of detecting the presence of a cytokine selected from the group comprising procalcitonin, amino procalcitonin (N-ProCT), eotaxin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukins IB monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1a), regulated upon activation normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES) in fluid taken from the wound. Also claimed is the device for use in the method.