The role of syringe filters in harm reduction among injection drug users.
OBJECTIVE
Three filters were tested for in situ efficacy in reducing bacterial contamination associated with injection drug use.


METHODS
In a self-matched control design with blinded laboratory testing, injection drug users were asked to use 3 filters in random succession when loading their syringes with drug solute.


RESULTS
The 0.22-micron filter proved significantly better than both the cigarette filter (relative risk [RR] = 18.0) and the 20-micron filter (RR = 4.5) in rendering syringes bacteria-free.


CONCLUSIONS
The 15- to 20-micron syringe filter currently provided injection drug users in Switzerland does not significantly reduce contamination associated with common bacterial infections among users. Filters with pore width 1/100th as large are recommended.
Caflisch
C
C
Psychiatric University Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
Wang
J
J
Zbinden
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D013557:Switzerland; D013594:Syringes / Q000382:microbiology*