Detecting microbial infection in wounds

The disclosed technology relates to chemical entities for the detection of wounds, e.g., chronic wounds or infected wounds, including compositions, substrates, kits, dressing materials, and articles, and systems containing such compounds. The disclosed technology further relates to methods of using these compositions, kits and systems in diagnostic assays, and in the diagnosis and/or detection of chronic or infected wounds based on enzymatic action on specific moieties and/or reaction sites. The disclosed technology additionally relates to detection of pathogenic, e.g., bacterial and/or viral substances, such as enzymes and substrates, at the wound situs. Additional disclosure relates to methods of characterizing wounds based on expression of a plurality of markers and using such information to treat, manage, and follow-up patients suffering from chronic or infected wounds.