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Colloidal silver: a novel treatment for Staphylococcus aureus biofilms?
Rachel Goggin1, Camille Jardeleza, Peter-John Wormald
1Department of Surgery-Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology
|January 17, 2014
Summary
Colloidal silver effectively reduced Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilms in vitro. This alternative medicine showed significant bactericidal effects against S. aureus biofilms, offering potential for treating chronic infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Alternative Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Colloidal silver, a suspension of silver particles in water, is explored for its therapeutic potential.
- A patient with chronic rhinosinusitis, infected with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), showed symptom improvement after using colloidal silver nasal spray.
- This study investigates the direct bactericidal effects of colloidal silver on S. aureus biofilms in vitro.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if colloidal silver possesses direct bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilms.
- To evaluate the efficacy of varying concentrations of colloidal silver in reducing S. aureus biofilm biomass.
- To provide in vitro evidence supporting the clinical observations of colloidal silver's effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilms were cultivated on Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration (MBEC) device pegs using the ATCC 25923 reference strain.
- Biofilms were treated with colloidal silver concentrations ranging from 10 to 150 μL, diluted in sterile water and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) broth.
- Biofilm biomass was quantified using confocal scanning laser microscopy and COMSTAT software 24 hours post-treatment, with controls receiving only broth and water.
Main Results:
- Colloidal silver demonstrated significant reduction in S. aureus biofilm biomass across tested concentrations, except for the lowest (10 μL).
- A concentration of 20 μL colloidal silver resulted in a 98.9% reduction in biofilm biomass (p < 0.0001).
- Maximum biomass reduction of 99.8% was achieved with 100 μL and 150 μL colloidal silver concentrations (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Colloidal silver directly attenuates in vitro Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilms.
- The findings support the potential of colloidal silver as a therapeutic agent against S. aureus biofilm infections.
- Further research is warranted to explore its clinical applications in conditions like chronic rhinosinusitis.
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