Testing the efficacy of novel silver compounds for the eradication of multi species biofilms

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Bacteria often grow as a surface attached community referred to as a biofilm, which once formed, is protected from environmental stress. In the context of a human infection, this means a biofilm is more resistant to both the immune system and antibiotics. Additionally, biofilms are proposed to be the link between acute and chronic infection. This project further builds on a collaboration between the Biofilm Research Group (BRG) at the University of Calgary and Exciton Technologies Inc. (ETI) - evaluating the capacity of different silver formulations to prevent or eradicate biofilm bacteria. ETI produces a wound care product with highly oxidized silver species that are more reactive and effective against bacteria than silver species found in other products. To date we've established that ETI's wound care products have a greater capacity than other silver compounds to abolish biofilms composed of a single bacterial species. The next logical step is to test ETI's patented wound care products against biofilms composed of multiple bacterial species - the way they exist in the environment. This academic-industry collaboration will further our current understanding of silver interactions with biofilm forming bacteria. The product of this team initiative will lead to the manufacture of effective, low-cost technologies for biofilm eradication. Furthermore, this work will support and add knowledge towards understanding the interaction of metal species with bacteria as alternate antimicrobial strategies.