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Direct-current bactericidal effect on intact skin

L Bolton, B Foleno, B Means

    Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
    |July 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Positive carbon electrodes delivering direct current exhibit bactericidal effects on human skin. This electrochemical activity, dependent on current density, effectively reduces surface bacteria and penetrates the epidermis.

    Area of Science:

    • Dermatology
    • Microbiology
    • Electrochemistry

    Background:

    • Bacterial skin infections pose a significant health challenge.
    • Understanding novel antimicrobial strategies is crucial for public health.
    • The electrochemical properties of materials are increasingly explored for therapeutic applications.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the bactericidal efficacy of positive carbon-containing electrodes on human skin.
    • To determine the relationship between current density, total current, and bacterial reduction.
    • To elucidate the electrochemical mechanism underlying the observed antimicrobial effect.

    Main Methods:

    • Human subjects (n=13) were exposed to constant direct current from positive carbon electrodes on their back skin.

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  • Current density and total current were independently varied on multiple skin sites (n=16) in eight subjects.
  • Control experiments involved electrodes without electrochemical reactions and negative electrodes.
  • Adhesive tape stripping was used to assess the depth of the bactericidal effect in six subjects.

    • Main Results:

    • Positive carbon electrodes demonstrated significant bactericidal activity at current densities of 5 microA/cm2 or higher.
    • Bacterial kill increased with stimulation duration, achieving complete surface kill at 20 hours.
    • The bactericidal effect was directly correlated with current density, not total current.
    • Electrochemical reactions at the electrode-skin interface were essential for the antimicrobial effect, likely due to local acidity.
    • The effect penetrated the epidermis, as shown by tape stripping.

    Conclusions:

    • Positive carbon electrodes possess potent electrochemical bactericidal properties against skin bacteria.
    • Current density is the critical parameter for achieving antimicrobial effects, not the total current.
    • The mechanism involves localized acidity generated at the anode, affecting bacteria within the epidermis.
    • This technology presents a promising avenue for non-invasive antimicrobial treatments for skin infections.