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JAC Advance Access published online on November 10, 2004
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, doi:10.1093/jac/dkh478
© 2004 by The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
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Received May 19, 2004
Revised August 24, 2004
Accepted September 27, 2004

Original article

Silver nanoparticles and polymeric medical devices: a new approach to prevention of infection?

Franck Furno 1, Kelly S. Morley 2, Ben Wong 2, Barry L. Sharp 3, Polly L. Arnold 2, Steven M. Howdle 2, Roger Bayston 4*, Paul D. Brown 5, Peter D. Winship 3, and Helen J. Reid 3

1 Biomaterials-Related Infection Group, School of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
2 School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
3 Department of Chemistry, University of Loughborough, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
4 Biomaterials-Related Infection Group, School of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
5 School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Roger Bayston, E-mail: roger.bayston{at}nottingham.ac.uk


  Abstract

Objectives: Implantable devices are major risk factors for hospital-acquired infection. Biomaterials coated with silver oxide or silver alloy have all been used in attempts to reduce infection, in most cases with controversial or disappointing clinical results. We have developed a completely new approach using supercritical carbon dioxide to impregnate silicone with nanoparticulate silver metal. This study aimed to evaluate the impregnated polymer for antimicrobial activity.

Methods: After impregnation the nature of the impregnation was determined by transmission electron microscopy. Two series of polymer discs were then tested, one washed in deionized water and the other unwashed. In each series, half of the discs were coated with a plasma protein conditioning film. The serial plate transfer test was used as a screen for persisting activity. Bacterial adherence to the polymers and the rate of kill, and effect on planktonic bacteria were measured by chemiluminescence and viable counts. Release rates of silver ions from the polymers in the presence and absence of plasma was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Results: Tests for antimicrobial activity under various conditions showed mixed results, explained by the modes and rates of release of silver ions. While washing removed much of the initial activity there was continued release of silver ions. Unexpectedly, this was not blocked by conditioning film.

Conclusions: The methodology allows for the first time silver impregnation (as opposed to coating) of medical polymers and promises to lead to an antimicrobial biomaterial whose activity is not restricted by increasing antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: antimicrobial biomaterials; implantable devices; medical polymers.
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