Antimicrobial activity
In in vitro testing AQUACEL® Ag Dressing:
- provides rapid and sustained antimicrobial activity1,2,3.
- provides sustained antimicrobial activity for up to 7 days2.
- is effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus over 7 days2.
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Ionic silver starts killing a broad spectrum of pathogens within 30 minutes of exposure to the dressing as demonstrated by in vitro testing, including MRSA and VRE1
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Aerobic and anaerobic isolates included in this study 1:
Aerobic bacteria:
- Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 8532)
- Staphylococcus aureus (clinical isolate)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (clinical isolate, x2 strains)
- Enterobacter cloacae (clinical isolate)
- Streptococcus pyogenes (clinical isolate)
- Klebsiella pneumoniae (clinical isolate, x3 strains)
- Enterococcus faecalis (clinical isolate)
- Escherichia coli (NCIMB 8545)
- Escherichia coli (NCIMB 10544)
- Acinetobacter baumannii (NCIMB 9214)
Anaerobic bacteria:
- Bacteroides fragilis (clinical isolate)
- Bacteroides fragilis (NCTC 9343)
- Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (clinical isolate)
- Clostridium ramosum (clinical isolate)
- Clostridium clostridioforme (clinical isolate)
- Clostridium cadaveris (clinical isolate)
- Clostridium perfringens (clinical isolate)
- Tissierella praeacuta (clinical isolate)
Yeasts:
- Candida albicans (NCPF 3179)
- Candida albicans (NCPF 3265)
- Candida krusei (NCPF 3876)
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria:
- MRSA (NCTC 10442)
- MRSA (NCTC 12232)
- MRSA (clinical isolate, x8 strains)
- VRE (NCTC 12201)
- VRE (clinical isolate, x2 strains)
- Serratia marcescens (clinical isolate)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCTC 8506)
Antimicrobial efficacy of silver-containing dressings against Pseudomonas aeruginosa over a 7-day period (reinoculation occurred at 48 hours) in in vitro testingg,h,4

The silver in the dressing kills wound bacteria held in the dressing5.
In in vitro testing, AQUACEL® Ag Dressing conformed closely to the wound surface6.
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designed to limit spaces where bacteria can thrive
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Kills wound bacteria in the dressing [+]
Rapid Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy5 allows ‘real-time’ visualization of bacterial sequestration within gelling AQUACEL® Ag Dressings.
Using two special dyes, it is possible to show whether bacteria are alive (green) or dead (red) in the presence of silver ions.
![Kills wound bacteria in the dressing [+]](/HP3Image/Content/Rapid-Confocal_240.jpg)
1. A cross-section of the AQUACEL® Ag Dressing (~20-30 μm) shows bacteria sequestered within.
2. As silver ions are made available in the dressing, bacteria are shown to be rapidly killed.
These images illustrate that bacteria are killed within the dressing.
References [+]
- Jones SA, Bowler PG, Walker M, Parsons D. Controlling wound bioburden with a novel silver-containing Hydrofiber® dressing. Wound Rep Reg. 2004;12:288-294
- Bowler PG, Jones SA, Walker M, Parsons D. Microbicidal properties of a silver-containing Hydrofiber® dressing against a variety of burn wound pathogens. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2004;25(2):192-196
- Bowler P. Progression toward healing: wound infection and the role of an advanced silver-containing Hydrofiber® dressing. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2003;49(suppl):2-5
- Parsons D, Bowler PG, Myles V, Jones S. Silver antimicrobial dressings in wound management: a comparison of antibacterial, physical, and chemical characteristics. WOUNDS. 2005;17(8):222-232
- Newman GR, Walker M, Hobot JA, Bowler P. Visualisation of bacterial sequestration and bactericidal activity within hydrating Hydrofiber® wound dressings. Biomaterials. 2006;27(7):1129-1139.
- Jones S, Bowler PG, Walker M. Antimicrobial activity of silver – containing dressings is influenced by dressing conformability with a wound surface. Wounds. 2005;17(9):263-270
Notes [+]
- Acticoat Absorbent is a trademark of Smith & Nephew.
- SILVERCEL is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson.
- Contreet is a trademark of Coloplast A/S.
- Polymem is a trademark of Ferris Pharmacueticals Inc.
- Urgotul is a trademark of Holding Urgo Participations -HUP
- SilvaSorb is a trade mark of Acrymed Incorporated.
- In simulated wound fluid 10 mL volume.
- In simulated wound fluid 10 mL volume.
- Re-inoculation at 48 hours at approximately 1.3x 106 cfu/mL.
In in vitro testing.
Dressings should be changed every 24 to 48 hours depending on the superficial or deep second-degree burn being treated and its progress, as per this product’s package insert .