Inhibitory effects of electrically activated silver material on cutaneous wound bacteria.

Silver has had a widespread application in the care of burn wounds and chronic skin ulcers. The in vitro evaluation of unbound ionic silver is reported in this study. A comparison is made between silver-coated fabric alone and the fabric acting under direct electric current anodization. A variety of commonly found predominant skin pathogens were tested in this comparative study. Our studies confirm previous reports demonstrating an effective penetration of the silver ion and its local antibacterial action. Accurate measurements of the bacteria-free "clear zones" surrounding the electrically activated silver-coated fabric showed these to be significantly larger than those of the silver fabric without electric stimulation. This method affords another option in the use of silver for its antibacterial property, i.e., by iontophoresis. Its potential clinical use awaits further in vivo trials.