title: Controlling wound bioburden with a novel silver-containing Hydrofiber dressing.
abstract: Clinicians now recognize that both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms have the ability to degrade or damage host tissue at a wound site through the production of a variety of enzymes and toxins. Silver-containing dressings offer one method for controlling this polymicrobial wound bioburden, and research efforts are currently ongoing to determine their efficacy against aerobic, anaerobic, and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. The current study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of a new silver-containing Hydrofiber dressing (AQUACEL Ag) on both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, using the zone-of-inhibition method. This method provides a measure of the ability of the dressing to make available a sufficient concentration of silver to have an antimicrobial effect. To some extent this test mimics the clinical use of the dressing and predicts its microbicidal activity at the wound-dressing interface. The results show that the silver-containing dressing makes silver available at a dressing-agar interface at a concentration that is effective against a broad range of aerobic, anaerobic, and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. In the context of wound healing, the results showing antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms are particularly important, as the control and eradication of these organisms is a major concern within the health care profession.
authors.affiliation: ConvaTec GDC, First Avenue, Deeside Industrial Park, Deeside, Flintshire CH5 2NU, United Kingdom. samantha.jones@bms.com
authors.forename: Samantha A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Philip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bowler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parsons
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D012834:Silver / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012834:Silver; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium