Effect of monodispersed silver ions in cotton socks induces antimicrobial activity

Prabhu N; Lakshika S; Revathi P; Uma A; Manickavasagam S

Authors

Prabhu N Department of Microbiology, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM Group), Tiruchirapalli – 621 105, India
Lakshika S Department of Pharmacology, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM Group), Tiruchirapalli – 621 105, India
Revathi P Department of Pharmacology, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM Group), Tiruchirapalli – 621 105, India
Uma A Department of Microbiology, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM Group), Tiruchirapalli – 621 105, India
Manickavasagam S Department of Pharmacology, Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM Group), Tiruchirapalli – 621 105, India

Keywords:

Monodispersion, silver nitrate, bacterial isolates

Abstract

The developments of antimicrobial agents are extensively applicable in the health care settings by which the environmental, personal and patient care has been successful. Among the antimicrobial metal salts, silver has been explored for long years with its wide microbicidal effect. The main objective of this study is to understand the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the microbes especially bacteria with the formulation of inexpensive products including against antibiotic resistant strains. The in vitro analysis of the impending efficiency of a silver impregnated cotton socks as an antimicrobial agent was evaluated in this study. Silver nitrate (10^-3mM) dispensed cotton socks significantly reduced the bacterial load of the socks flora among the subjects included. The bacterial load is directly proportional to number of days and inversely proportional to the concentration of silver nitrate. Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas species were isolated. As a result, we observed the observable microbicidal effect of silver ions against the bacterial isolates including Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from post operative wound cases.