Researchers have discovered an innovative way to create longer-lasting antimicrobial wound protection by saturating bioactive glass with silver - the combination of which sustains the metal’s antimicrobial properties and reduces biofilm formation. It is hoped that this new combination will enhance the management of chronic wounds, such as pressure sores, venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers – all of which exact a significant financial burden on health services and are an area of unmet clinical need.
The research team – from the University of Birmingham in the UK – has shown that silver retains antimicrobial activity for longer when impregnated with ‘bioactive’ glass.
There is a wealth of evidence to show that silver has the ability to hinder or diminish the formation of biofilms in exposed wounds. This is not new. But the antimicrobial properties of these treatments rely on silver maintaining an ionic state, which allows it to penetrate bacterial cell walls and disrupt their lifecycle. However, the silver ions or nanoparticles present in wound dressings are susceptible to transforming into silver sulfide, or silver chloride. Such transformations can diminish the antimicrobial activity and impede the overall success of the treatment.
Bioactive glass represents a distinct category of synthetic biomaterials derived from silicon and have found extensive application in bone grafting over the years.
With a wealth of experience investigating other applications of bioactive glass, the team showed in this latest study that its fibrous form lends itself to a 3D porous and robust structure that is packable, with a density ideally suited to supporting tissue growth.
The team is now looking to develop their new biomaterial for clinical approval and is keen to collaborate with companies who may help them meet this end.
The researchers were microbiology researcher Dr Sarah A. Kuehne, biomaterials expert Dr Gowsihan Poologasundarampillai and multidisciplinary PhD student Sandeep Shirgill from the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry, Dr Sara Jabbari from the School of Mathematics and Dr John Ward from Loughborough University’s Department of Mathematic Sciences.
Dr Sam Moxon, a post-doctoral researcher affiliated with the Birmingham team, has been exploring the application of these ground-breaking materials in the fields of dental surgery and wound care.
The study is published in the journal Biofilms.
Photo credit: Pragasitlalao
