Silver segregation and bacterial growth of intraventricular catheters impregnated with silver nanoparticles in cerebrospinal fluid drainages.
OBJECTIVE
Intraventricular catheters impregnated with silver nanoparticles are developed to reduce catheter-associated infections in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainages. Silver released from these new catheters should have an anti-microbacterial effect. This study examines the silver ion release and a potential effect of bacterial growth in an in vitro experiment.


METHODS
Seven original silver-coated ventricle catheters were rinsed thoroughly with an artificial CSF for 6 days. The collecting containers were replaced every 24 hours. In these samples, ion concentrations of silver were determined via trace analysis through atomic absorption spectroscopy. Furthermore, a bacterial growth was conducted on silver-impregnated and non-impregnated catheters.


RESULTS
In none of the samples, a concentration of silver ions could be detected. For Staphylococcus aureus, a slightly decreased bacterial growth could be observed with silver-impregnated catheters.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no risk of a toxic effect due to silver release into the CSF. However, the in vivo antibacterial effect has to be further investigated. We recommend clinical trials to prove the oligodynamic and anti-microbacterial effects of silver-impregnated ventricular catheters.
Galiano
Klaus
K
Department of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. klaus.galiano@uibk.ac.at
Pleifer
Claudia
C
Engelhardt
Klaus
K
Brössner
Gregor
G
Lackner
Peter
P
Huck
Christian
C
Lass-Flörl
Cornelia
C
Obwegeser
Alois
A
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000382:microbiology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D012834:Silver