Silver Wound Dressing Kills Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs

A new study has found that a cellulose wound dressing that contains Silver (Ag) is capable of killing a range of bacteria that represent significant risks for patients in hospitals and other health facilities.

Researchers at ConvaTec (Skillman, NJ, USA) created a simulated wound fluid model containing serum and peptone designed to measure antimicrobial activity over a seven-day wear time. A sample of the silver-containing sodium carboxymethyl cellulose wound dressing was aseptically transferred to the simulated wound fluid containing a wound pathogen (Acinetobacter baumannii, Clostridium difficile, Methillicin Resistant Streptococcus aureus (MRSA), or ESBL-producing bacteria). Following incubation, total viable counts (TVCs) were performed on each test model using a pour plate method. TVCs were performed on each model at 4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, and at 7 days. All models were re-inoculated with a fresh challenge of the same bacteria at 72 hours.

The results showed that the dressing was effective against emerging pathogens over a seven-day test period, including against re-inoculation. The dressing killed ESBL-producing bacteria and A. baumannii quickly and consistently, with an approximate 100,000-fold reduction of all pathogens within 24 hours. The rate of kill for C. difficile was rapid, with an approximate 100,000-fold reduction of all bacteria after four hours. Potency of against CA-MRSA was effective with a 100-fold reduction in bacterial population within 48 hours, and no bacteria detected by day seven. The study results were presented at the 24th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and Wound Healing Society (SAWC/WHS), held during April 2011 in Dallas (TX, USA).

The Convatec AQUACEL Ag dressing incorporates Hydrofiber technology with 1.2% (w/w) silver, offering broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties of ionic silver (Ag+). It is a versatile primary dressing indicated for moderate to highly exuding chronic and acute wounds where there is an infection or an increased risk of infection.

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