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Lab Research
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Determination of microbiological performance of a nanocrystalline silver dressing and silver-containing hydrofiber in a 7 day repeat challenge assay First Author: Kiersten Driffield Authors: Kiersten Driffield Emma Woodmansey Jessamine Walter Helen Floyd Silver is a broad spectrum antimicrobial widely used in wound care dressings. However, understanding of how effective silver-containing dressings are when in contact with clinically relevant physiological fluids is limited. This study determined microbiological performance and longevity of a nanocrystalline silver dressing (NSD) and a silver-containing hydrofiber dressing (SHD) in a seven day repeat challenged assay, using stimulated wound fluid inoculated with either Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus or epidemic methicillin resistant S. aureus (EMRSA-15). The dressings were re-challenged with bacteria every 24hrs by transfer to freshly inoculated media. Both dressings achieved log10 reductions against P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and EMRSA-15 on day 1; however the SHD achieved lower log10 reductions against EMRSA-15. The SHD did not achieve any further log10 reductions after day 1, with bacterial counts similar to those in the presence of the non-silver controls. The NSD continued to demonstrate sustained antimicrobial activity over the 7 day period against all three bacterial strains, achieving greater log reduction than the SHD at all time points (day 1-day 7). The use of a NSD may significantly reduce the bacterial load of colonised/infected wounds and influence wound healing. Furthermore the NSD may prevent further colonisation of wounds. |
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