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The effect and safety of dressing composed by nylon threads covered with metallic silver in wound treatment
Ariane R Brogliato1, Paula A Borges, Janaina F Barros
1Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversity of State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilLM Farma Indústria e Comércio SIA, SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, BrazilEngineering School of Lorena, University of São Paulo, Lorena, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Silver is used worldwide in dressings for wound management. Silver has demonstrated great efficacy against a broad range of microorganisms, but there is very little data about the systemic absorption and toxicity of silver in vivo. In this study, the antimicrobial effect of the silver-coated dressing (SilverCoat(®)) was evaluated in vitro against the most common microorganisms found in wounds, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. We also performed an excisional skin lesion assay in mice to evaluate wound healing after 14 days of treatment with a silver-coated dressing, and we measured the amount of silver in the blood, the kidneys and the liver after treatment. Our data demonstrated that the nylon threads coated with metallic silver have a satisfactory antimicrobial effect in vitro, and the prolonged use of these threads did not lead to systemic silver absorption, did not induce toxicity in the kidneys and the liver and were not detrimental to the normal wound-healing process.
Insights
Silver-coated dressings show effective antimicrobial properties for wound management. Prolonged use in mice did not result in systemic silver absorption or toxicity, supporting safe wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Silver is widely utilized in wound dressings due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
- Limited in vivo data exists regarding systemic absorption and potential toxicity of silver from wound dressings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of a silver-coated dressing (SilverCoat®).
- To assess systemic silver absorption, organ toxicity (kidneys, liver), and impact on wound healing in a murine model.
Main Methods:
- In vitro testing against common wound pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- Excisional skin lesion assay in mice treated with silver-coated dressing for 14 days.
- Quantification of silver levels in blood, kidneys, and liver post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Silver-coated nylon threads demonstrated satisfactory in vitro antimicrobial activity.
- No significant systemic silver absorption was detected in mice after prolonged treatment.
- No evidence of kidney or liver toxicity was observed.
- The silver-coated dressing did not impede the normal wound-healing process.
Conclusions:
- SilverCoat® exhibits effective in vitro antimicrobial properties against key wound microorganisms.
- The silver-coated dressing is safe for prolonged use, showing no systemic absorption or organ toxicity in vivo.
- This silver dressing supports normal wound healing without adverse effects.
