An unlikely duo of silver and glass might become a viable treatment option for patients with chronic wounds.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, UK, found that antimicrobial activity was maintained when bioactive glass was saturated with silver.
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Silver has long been known to reduce bacteria growth in wounds (biofilms) and is a commonly used treatment, especially as more bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. An issue, however, is that silver ions are prone to losing their ionic form – often transforming to silver sulphide or silver chloride. When silver loses its ionic form, antimicrobial activity is impaired.
Bioactive glass, commonly used for bone regeneration, was chosen as a potential scaffold due to its highly fibrous, porous structure and previous research indicating antimicrobial properties against certain strains of bacteria. It is a type of synthetic biomaterial made from silicone.
Results from the experiment showed that bioactive glass (Biowool) infused with silver significantly reduced biofilm formation compared to silver-free glass. The biofilm used was produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a bacterium that commonly causes infections in wounds and is resistant to a range of drugs. The authors continue to state there appeared to be a synergistic effect between the glass fibres and the silver.
The authors concluded that protocols around specific preparation, storage and application technique can help maintain silver in its ionic form and minimise transformation to silver chloride. By conserving antimicrobial activity, the combination could be used as a treatment option to reduce biofilm formation in chronic wounds.
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By GlobalDataBioactive glass is also relatively cheap and easy to apply in clinical settings, meaning there is strong potential for its use. In a statement announcing the study results, the researchers stated they are looking to collaborate and co-develop products for wound care, and even dental surgery.
“In vivo safety and efficacy studies on animals and clinical trials are required to further show Biowool’s performance. Research and commercialisation activities will be involved to move towards Biowool as a treatment option,” Dr Sarah A Kuehn, senior lecturer in oral microbiology at the University of Birmingham, told Medical Device Network.
GlobalData estimates the wound management market is worth $30bn, with it forecast to grow to $38.8bn by 2030.
