title: [In vitro study of the antimicrobial properties of a silver ion-releasing polyurethane foam].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The antimicrobial properties of a silver ion (Ag+)-releasing polyurethane foam were evaluated using different microorganisms. The diffusion of Ag+ from the medium, as well as any possible cytotoxicity on human cells, was also studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Silver release from V.A.C. GranuFoam Silver(®) was assessed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). An in vitro experimental study was designed to evaluate the bactericide capacity using lethal dose curves on A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, S. maltophilia, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. mirabilis, methicillin resistant S. aureus, E. faecium, S. pyogenes and C. minutissimum. A cytotoxicity study was also performed on human fibroblasts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The silver release showed an exponential curve with a stable meseta phase after 3 hours, with levels of 0.22-0.24 mg/l. A reduction of 99.9% of all the gram-negatives was achieved at 3 hours. The reduction was greater than 99% at 2 hours in S. pyogenes and C. minutissimum, at 6h in S. aureus and at 14 h in E. faecium. In an in vivo simulation model, these reductions were achieved in 6 hours in the gram negatives and 24h in the gram positives. The silver concentrations were no cytotoxic to human fibroblasts, with no differences being observed between the cells exposed to Ag+ and the controls (p=.7)
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  V.A.C. Granufoam Silver(®) releases bactericide concentrations of Ag+ that did not damage human fibroblasts. It appears to be a good alternative for the control and prevention of local infections.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital La Fe, Valencia, España. wadjur@hotmail.com
authors.forename: José Miguel Sahuquillo
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Arce
authors.forename: Agustín Iranzo
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Tatay
authors.forename: Martín Llácer
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: Yovana Sanchis
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Boix
authors.forename: Jorge Guitán
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Deltell
authors.forename: Eva González
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Barberá
authors.forename: Joycelyna Beltrán
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Heras
authors.forename: Miguel Gobernado
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Serrano
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; D018030:Silver Compounds; C028279:polyurethane foam