Silver‐based wound dressings reduce bacterial burden and promote wound healing

Abstract

Various types of wound dressings have been designed for different purposes and functions. Controlling bacterial burden in a wound during the early phase is important for successful wound repair. Once bacterial burden is under control, the active promotion of wound healing is another important factor for efficient wound healing. This study investigated the potential of three silver-containing dressings, namely KoCarbonAg(®) , Aquacel(®) Ag and Acticoat 7, in reducing bacterial survival and promoting wound healing. The ability of these dressings to block the entry of bacteria from external environment and retain intrinsic bacteria was studied in vitro. In addition, the study used a rat model to compare the healing efficiencies of the three dressings and investigate the quantity of collagen synthesis in vivo. In vitro results indicated that the silver-containing dressings prevented bacterial growth in wounds by blocking the entry of external bacteria and by retaining the bacteria in the dressing. In vivo study indicated that reduction in bacterial burden accelerated wound healing. Wounds treated by the silver-containing dressings showed better healing than those treated with gauze. Moreover, KoCarbonAg(®) further accelerated wound healing by promoting collagen synthesis and arrangement.

Effectiveness of collagen/oxidised regenerated cellulose/silver‐containing composite wound dressing for the treatment of medium‐depth split‐thickness skin graft donor site wounds in multi‐morbid patients: a prospective, non‐comparative, single‐centre study

“…Complete reepithelialisation was observed between the 12th and 34th postoperative day (median 17⋅5 days). MRSA at DSWs was postoperatively confirmed in three patients (No 14,15,18) at the second and third dressing change. In two of these patients (No 14, 18), epithelialisation was delayed [34 days (No 14) and 26 days (No 18)].…”

“…Effective antimicrobial wound treatment can be achieved using modern topical antiseptics, particularly polyhexanide and octenidine but also nanocrystalline silver preparations. Silver demonstrates a broad antimicrobial and anti‐fungal activity. The systemic incorporation of silver is reduced considerably by avoiding long‐term application on wound areas larger than 10% of the body surface area .…”

Antimicrobial Silver Nanoparticles for Wound Healing Application: Progress and Future Trends

“…Increased levels of endotoxins produced by bacteria elevate the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, thus decreasing the production of growth factors and the deposition of collagen in wounds and delaying wound healing [25]. Then, the infection can progress from contamination to colonization and can be complicated by the presence of biofilm [26], an organized consortium of bacteria encapsulated in a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) made of polysaccharide, protein, and DNA [27].…”

Certain Aspects of Silver and Silver Nanoparticles in Wound Care: A Minireview

“…Lin and coworkers [60] investigated the potential of KoCarbonAg®, Aquacel Ag, and Acticoat 7 in reducing bacterial survival and promoting wound healing. In vitro results showed that the silver-containing dressings prevented bacterial (P. aeruginosa) growth in wounds by blocking the entry of external bacteria and by retaining the bacteria in the dressing.…”