MRSA, Staph, Staff, Mersa, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Symptoms & Treatment

Silver coated catheters less infection prone

nk: I-Flow Leads Infection Prevention Trend By Using Silver With Antimicrobial Properties In Medical Devices.

-Flow Corporation (NASDAQ:IFLO) is leading and helping to define a rapidly emerging trend of using silver as an antimicrobial agent to help reduce infections with its ON-Q® PainBuster® with ON-Q SilverSoaker® Antimicrobial Catheter combination. This approach was supported in a recent study published in The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (Roe et al), entitled "Antimicrobial surface functionalization of plastic catheters by silver nanoparticles." The study confirmed the potential usefulness of plastic catheters coated with proprietary silver nanoparticles, because of their demonstrated antimicrobial properties, and concluded that the treated catheters may be useful in reducing infectious complications in patients with indwelling catheters. Since early 2006 patients have benefited from I-Flow's foresight to market and sell the ON-Q SilverSoaker, a patented Soaker catheter that is treated with SilvaGard®, a specially-formulated antimicrobial silver agent developed by AcryMed, Inc, an I-Flow subsidiary. SilvaGard is an established antimicrobial coating that is effective against a wide variety of microorganisms and common pathogens, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), that may cause surgical site infections (SSI). The Roe et al study, published in February, measured microbial and biofilm formation against pathogens most commonly involved in catheter-related infections. The surface of the catheters was coated with a thin layer of sustained-release silver nanoparticles which then eluted over a period of 10 days. The coated catheters showed significant in vitro antimicrobial activity and inhibited biofilm formation of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureaus, and other strains of bacteria.

Nanosilver Cotton Inhibits Staph

Link: Nanosilver Functionalized Cotton Fabric -- Gorensek and Recelj 77 (3): 138 -- Textile Research Journal.

The influence of reactive dyes with massive chromogene and nanosilver on ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) values of lightweight cotton fabrics was investigated. The effect of nanosilver on the color of cotton fabrics and on antibacterial effectiveness was also determined. AATCC Test method 183-1998 was used for the calculation of the UPF of lightweight cotton fabric. The antibacterial activity was determined according to ASTM Designation E 2149-01. The research shows an increase in the UPF values of lightweight cotton fabrics when they are pale red or pale navy dyed with nanosilver. Cotton fabrics treated with 80 nm nanosilver showed inhibition of the growth of Streptococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Changes of color are observed on dyed cotton fabrics treated with nanosilver.

Leicestershire hospital fights the MRSA battle with new silver ion technology

Link: Leicestershire hospital fights the MRSA battle with new silver ion technology :: PublicTechnology.net :: e-Government & public sector IT news   job vacancies:.

Drawing up a plan to remain MRSA free was a vital priority when Leicestershire-based Croxton Lodge, a specialist hospital which assesses, treats and rehabilitates adults with learning disabilities, opened six months ago. A weapon employed by the unit in the superbug fight was Kalamazoo Security Print’s bacteria-killing Touch Safe products. Staff at Croxton Lodge use Touch Safe stationery and Karefile frames for their patient notes that have an integrated additive containing silver ions, which instantly starts to kill microbes on contact. Cross-contamination remains one of the main methods of spreading the bacteria and not only occurs through healthcare professional-to-patient contact but even through patient records being handled by medical staff. The hospital offers a safe and structured environment for the treatment of individuals with challenging behaviour and complex needs that aren’t being met by other medical institutions. The centre not only caters for long-term patients in its 30-bed unit, but also holds regular day service sessions, which seek to enhance life skills and the possibility of patients moving on to community based living. Charge Nurse Katie Deedes, a member of the Infection Control Nurse Association and Croxton Lodge’s Lead Nurse for Infection Control, said: “Despite huge efforts to reduce the deadly MRSA bacteria it is still prevalent in many hospitals but we had an opportunity from the off-set to make Croxton Lodge a bacteria free zone.”

Silver ions in mattress cover could combat MRSA

Link: Infection Control Today - Hot News.

Gaymar’s antimicrobial mattress covers incorporate a patented Silver3 technology that targets MRSA and other bacteria where they are most likely to be found, on a surface that often comes in contact with bodily fluids. The Silver3 antimicrobial mattress covers use a unique ionic silver technology; the silver is encapsulated in a polymer matrix and released in response to humidity and moisture. When the silver ions come in contact with sensitive bacteria they achieve a 99.9 percent reduction in MRSA and many other bacteria.  Tests have shown the mattress covers still maintain effectiveness even after 500 cleaning cycles. “MRSA is a significant problem in the healthcare industry,” said Dr. Thomas P Stewart, Gaymar president and COO. “And, although many support surfaces are already being treated with antimicrobial agents, some of the antimicrobials may not be effective against MRSA.  Our Silver3 mattress covers are proven to kill MRSA and other bacteria on contact and continue to do so for up to five years.”

Silver Nanotechnology to fight Infection

Link: Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "Interest in Breakthrough Antimicrobial Technology for Medical Devices Results in Growth for AcryMed".

Strong industry interest in SilvaGard, a breakthrough antimicrobial nanotechnology, has resulted in significant growth for AcryMed, the company that developed and now licenses the technology. Built on years of research in developing silver antimicrobial wound treatments, SilvaGard addresses a still un-met clinical need, preventing the spread of deadly medical device-related infections. By harnessing the advantages of nanotechnology with the broad-spectrum infection-fighting ability of Ionic silver, SilvaGard provides a safe and effective solution to render medical devices impervious to infection causing biofilms.

New Silver Dressing Being Tested

Link: The Engineer Online

A successful clinical pilot study on the Smith & Nephew product, ACTICOAT – a silver containing antimicrobial barrier dressing – has already been performed, providing initial evidence that ACTICOAT is a highly effective and reliable barrier to the spread of MRSA into the wider hospital environment. The company is enlisting the help of research centres around the globe, including the Hull York Medical School, to carry out an additional clinical trial of the product to support the results of this first study. Since the University is home to a world-class Wound Care Institute, they are a key partner in this exercise.

Silver dressings key to MRSA inhibition

Link: Bench to Business.

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) today announced that laboratory results show GORE DUALMESH(R) PLUS Biomaterial is the only hernia repair material inhibiting bacterial colonization of the device for up to 14 days post-implantation and the only prosthetic patch resisting initial biofilm formation over the same period of time. Gore's antimicrobial technology provides effective inhibition of bacterial colonization of prosthetic biomedical implants by 10 different strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, comprised of laboratory and clinical isolates, including drug-resistant "superbugs" such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistance Enterococcus Faecalis (VRE). GORE DUALMESH(R) PLUS Biomaterial is the only two-sided, prosthetic patch loaded with the antimicrobial agents silver and chlorhexidine indicated for the reconstruction of hernias and soft tissue deficiencies. Silver and chlorhexidine act synergistically to inhibit microbial colonization of the device post-implantation by permeating bacterial cell walls and binding bacterial cell proteins.

Anti-MRSA silver pyjamas trialled

Link: BBC NEWS

Pyjamas and bed linen made with silver cloth are being trialled in a hospital to help combat the MRSA superbug. Experts at Barts and The London NHS Trust hope to prove that silver can be used to clear MRSA on the skin and thus protect vulnerable patients. The specially created fabrics will be used at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Herts, over the next year. Dr Peter Wilson said a successful trial "would transform the way we tackle certain infections, particularly MRSA".

NanoCrystal delivers Silver in wound care best?

Link: HighWire Press -- Medline Abstract.

Although silver has been recognised for centuries to inhibit infection its use in wound care is relatively recent. Evidence of the efficacy of the growing number of silver dressings in clinical trials, judged by the criteria of the Cochrane Collaboration, is lacking, but there are good indications for the use of silver dressings, to remove or reduce an increasing bioburden in burns and open wounds healing by secondary intention, or to act as a barrier against cross contamination of resistant organisms such as MRSA. More laboratory, and clinical data in particular, are needed to prove the value of the many silver dressings which are now available. Some confusion persists over the measurement of toxicity and antibacterial activity but all dressings provide an antibacterial action, involving several methods of delivery. Nanocrystalline technology appears to give the highest, sustained release of silver to a wound without clear risk of toxicity.

Silver Bandages Approvved

Link: Yahoo! Finance.

    Covalon Technologies Ltd. ("Covalon") (TSX VENTURE:COV.V - News) announces that the FDA has approved Covalon's proprietary CollagranTM and Collagran Ag(TM) new collagen-based wound dressings for use in the USA. ADVERTISEMENT The FDA approval of Covalon's proprietary collagen-based Collagran(TM) and its antimicrobial silver ion-releasing Collagran Ag(TM) wound dressings represents a significant milestone for the company. The new dressings, when applied to decubitus and other wounds, create a beneficial wound healing environment. Collagran(TM) and Collagran Ag(TM) inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) that are known to be detrimental to optimal wound healing. The dressings absorb wound exudates to form a soft and conformable collagen-based, hydrophilic pad that is gas permeable. Furthermore, Collagran Ag(TM) provides antimicrobial silver ions that provide a biocidal microbial barrier in the dressing. The amount of soluble silver provided in Collagran Ag(TM) is known by in vitro testing to kill Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and fungicidal-resistant Candida albicans, as well as many other pathogenic microbes.