Gallium maltolate treatment of chronic infected equine distal limb wounds

Distal limb wounds are common injuries sustained by horses and their healing is fraught with complications due to equine anatomy, prevalence of infection, and challenges associated with wound management.

Gallium is a semi-metallic element that has been shown to possess antimicrobial properties and aid in wound healing in various pre-clinical models. This study aimed to compare healing rates of wounds with gallium treatment vs non-gallium treatment and to assess its antimicrobial capacity against S. aureus.

Using an established model of equine wound healing, beneficial effects were found for 0.5% topical gallium maltolate on equine wound healing. Reduced healing times, reduced bioburden, and reduced formation of granulation tissue was found in wounds treated with gallium maltolate when compared with untreated wounds.

Gallium maltolate appears to increase expression of transforming growth factor-β in both infected and un-infected wounds. This data suggests that gallium may be an attractive and novel means of improving equine distal limb wound healing.

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Gallium maltolate treatment of chronic infected equine distal limb wounds