- “Silver (Ag) has long been known to exhibit a strong toxicity towards a wide
range of microorganisms. Thanks to these broad-spectrum antimicrobial
properties, silver has been extensively used for biomedical applications and other
environmental disinfection processes for centuries.” - “Due to their unique properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) represent a
reasonable alternative for boosting the development of new bactericides. Because
of their high surface area to volume ratio and their high active surface (with
highly active facets), metal nanoparticles (MNPs) exhibit remarkable and
outstanding properties, such as increased catalytic activity. Therefore, AgNPs
could be more reactive and become more antimicrobiologically active than the
bulk counterpart.” - “Applications such in clothing, respirators, household water filters,
contraceptives, antibacterial sprays, cosmetics, detergents, dietary supplements,
cutting boards, shoes, cell phones, laptop keyboards, and children’s toys are
typical products currently in the market that exploit the antimicrobial properties
of silver nanomaterials.” - “Even if the use of of AgNPs seems to open a new window of possibilities in the
development of new-age antibacterial agents, some environmental and health
safety risks, sometimes referred as nanotoxicity must be intensively considered.” - “Taking into account the antimicrobial power of the Ag-nanocomposites, these
materials could be used in the near future for the development of artificial
organs, engineered tissues or medical instruments.” - This article contains an extensive historical overview of silver as an antibacterial
agent.
Donlan, R. M. (2002). Biofilms: Microbial life on surfaces. Emerging Infectious
Diseases. 8(9). pg. 881-90. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/8/9/pdfs/02-0063.pdf
- “Microorganisms attach to surfaces and develop biofilms. Biofilm-associated
cells can be differentiated from their suspended counterparts by generation of an
extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, reduced growth rates, and the
up- and down-regulation of specific genes.” - “An established biofilm structures comprises microbial cells and EPS, has a
defined architecture, and provides an optimal environment for the exchange of
genetic material between cells.” - “Biofilms have great importance for public health because of their role in certain
infectious diseases and importance in a variety of device-related infections.”
Donskey, C. J., Chowdhry, T. K. and Hecker, M. T. (2015). Effect of antibiotic therapy
on the density of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the stool of colonized patients.