In wound healing, which factor impairs the inflammation phase (neutrophil influx)?

• A. Infection
• B. Necrotic tissue
• C. Hypoxia
• D. Excessive scar tissue

Answer: (A)

In the inflammation phase, neutrophils need to arrive in a timely, controlled burst to clear bacteria and debris and set the stage for repair. When infection is present, bacterial products keep blasting inflammatory signals and continually recruiting neutrophils. This leads to prolonged, sometimes excessive neutrophil influx, which can cause additional tissue damage, edema, and disrupted signaling. The result is a dysregulated inflammatory response that doesn’t transition smoothly to the next healing phase, effectively impairing the inflammation process. While necrotic tissue and hypoxia can also hinder neutrophil function or wound environment, and excessive scar tissue occurs later, the persistent infection specifically disrupts the normal balance of neutrophil influx and inflammation resolution.