Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

1995

Publisher

American Physical Therapy Association

Source Publication

Journal of Clinical Electrophysiology

Source ISSN

0892-5070

Abstract

The use of electrical current to promote wound healing is well documented. However, little is understood about the effects of micro-amperage direct current (μADC) on growth of wound pathogens. The purpose of this project was to investigate the antibacterial effects of a silver wire/silver nylon electrode carrying μADC in vitro on several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The current was delivered via silver wire and silver nylon electrodes at an amplitude of 100 μA for a 30-minute duration in an in vitro system. Results demonstrated that only silver wire carrying current inhibited bacterial growth around the anode. In contrast, the silver nylon electrode with or without current exhibited antibacterial activity around both the anode and cathode. The results of this study provide convincing evidence that the silver ion (AG+) is responsible for suppressing bacterial growth. Both silver electrodes were bactericidal with all Gram negative bacteria tested and bacteriostatis with most Gram positive bacteria tested, suggesting that the cell wall composition may be a determining factor in the effectiveness of the AG+.

Comments

Published version. Journal of Clinical Electrophysiology, Vol. 7 (1994): 10-15. Publisher link. © 1994 American Physical Therapy Association. Used with permission.

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