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The role of syringe filters in harm reduction among injection drug users
C Caflisch1, J Wang, R Zbinden
1Psychiatric University Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
Objectives:
Three filters were tested for in situ efficacy in reducing bacterial contamination associated with injection drug use.
Methods:
In a self-matched control design with blinded laboratory testing, injection drug users were asked to use 3 filters in random succession when loading their syringes with drug solute.
Results:
The 0.22-micron filter proved significantly better than both the cigarette filter (relative risk [RR] = 18.0) and the 20-micron filter (RR = 4.5) in rendering syringes bacteria-free.
Conclusions:
The 15- to 20-micron syringe filter currently provided injection drug users in Switzerland does not significantly reduce contamination associated with common bacterial infections among users. Filters with pore width 1/100th as large are recommended.