title: In vitro study assessing the antibacterial activity of three silver-impregnated/coated mechanical valve needleless connectors after blood exposure.
abstract: This in vitro study's purpose was to assess antibacterial activity of 3 different connectors: V-Link (Baxter, Deerfield, IL), Ultrasite Ag (B. Braun, Bethlehem, PA), and MaxGuard (CareFusion, Ontario, CA), impregnated with silver nanoparticles after blood exposure. All 3 silver-coated/impregnated connectors grew Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Log reduction of bacteria was not significant (range, +0.19 to -1.82). There was substantial bacterial recovery from all 3 connectors (mean ranges, 2.09 × 10 to 4.00 × 10) indicating that, once blood comes in contact with silver-coated/impregnated needleless connectors, their antibacterial activity is significantly reduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological and Technological Nursing, College of Nursing, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. cchernecky@georgiahealth.edu
authors.forename: Cynthia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chernecky
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Jarvis
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058491:Bacterial Load; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012834:Silver