Investigating mechanisms of action of silver oxynitrate: an unexplored silver compound with superior anti-biofilm activity.

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Silver has been used as an antimicrobial compound for thousands of years. Although interest in silver waned in the 1940s with the advent of antibiotic technologies, incidence of antibiotic resistance led to a resurgence in silver antimicrobial technologies in the 1980s. Since then, a variety of silver compounds have been used in topical antimicrobial applications, however, there is still no consensus on the efficacy of silver and mechanistic studies of silver activity are restrictive to singly ionic silver. As a consequence, silver compounds have a tarnished reputation. This project will be the first investigation into mechanisms of action and resistance for a range of silver compounds including the novel silver oxynitrate. Differentiating silver mechanisms of action and antimicrobial resistance will provide a greater understanding of efficacy, establishing structure for consensus, clinical use, and new technological developments. These findings will provide clinicians and patients with effective options for the management of antibiotic resistant infections. Resulting in lessened incidence of infection and associated costs, currently estimated at CAD$ 1 Billion, within the Canadian Health Care System.