title: Bacterial and fungal absorption properties of a hydrogel dressing with a superabsorbent polymer core.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study in vitro the micro-organism absorption properties of a hydrogel wound dressing, TenderWet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microbial films on agar plates and suspensions with common wound bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans) were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hydrogel dressing reduced the number of micro-organisms significantly, both on the agar plate and in suspension. The in vitro data show that the hydrogel dressing absorbed the micro-organisms from the environment. Electron microscopic imaging clearly demonstrated that the germs were attached to the surface of the dressing's superabsorbent polymer core.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In vitro data show that the hydrogel dressing TenderWet attracts and retains micro-organisms and reduces the number of viable germs. Clinical experience underlines this fast cleansing and debriding effect of the hydrogel wound dressing.
authors.affiliation: IVF Hartmann AG, Neuhausen, Switzerland. regina.bruggisser@hartmann.info
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruggisser
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid / Q000382:microbiology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000382:microbiology; D011108:Polymers; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers