Study in Wounds journal finds ActicoatTM dressing more effective than film dressing
EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A. - A comparative study published in the latest issue of the journal, Wounds, found Westaim Biomedical Corp.’s ActicoatTM silver-coated antimicrobial barrier dressing to be more effective than another silver-coated film dressing in controlling bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.
Silver has been well known since antiquity for its effectiveness in killing bacteria. The three--month in vitro study examined the antimicrobial properties of the two silver dressings and compared their relative efficacy in fighting bacteria and fungi that commonly contaminate wounds.
“While most physicians find a moist wound environment to be favorable for wound healing, such a condition increases the susceptibility of the wound to bacterial infection,” said Dr. Robert E. Burrell, Vice President of Science and Technology at Westaim Biomedical and one of the three Westaim scientists who conducted the study. “Westaim Biomedical conducted the study to determine if microorganisms could in fact be controlled by the silver dressings, which provide a moist environment. The results clearly illustrate the effectiveness of silver-metal antimicrobials. Furthermore, the ActicoatTM dressing demonstrated its superiority at controlling infection--causing bacteria and fungi. Control of these organisms in a clinical setting may lead to improved wound healing.”
The study, which was conducted in 1998, underwent a month-long peer review process before it was published in the November/December 1998 issue of Wounds: A Compendium of Clinical Research and Practice. Wounds is the premier source of current research and treatment in the subspecialty of wound care and has a subscriber base comprised of dermatologists, podiatrists, geriatric specialists, surgeons and researchers. Peer reviewers are selected by the Wounds advisory board on the basis of expertise in the field of study.
The study
Westaim Biomedical’s ActicoatTM dressing uses nanocrystalline silver that is layered onto the surface of the dressing, which, once moistened, produces a sustained release of silver. Thus, as silver ions are consumed, additional silver is released from the dressing to produce an effective antimicrobial barrier. The film dressing, on the other hand, involves a silver-containing glass-like material that is incorporated into a polymer, which is then applied to the wound.
Results from the laboratory study indicate that the ActicoatTM dressing released significantly more silver than the film dressing, and that the ActicoatTM dressings’ antimicrobial activity lasted longer and killed more types of bacteria faster than the film dressing.
“Since its introduction last March, the ActicoatTM dressing has become widely used by burn centers across the United States,” said Dr. Michael E. D. Raymont, President of Westaim Biomedical. “This study reinforces the efficacy of the ActicoatTM dressing for use in suitable medical situations.”
The ActicoatTM antimicrobial barrier is a unique three-layer wound dressing that continuously releases ionic silver to protect against infection. The unique barrier makes it very useful for the protection of wounds, including burns, grafts, donor sites and chronic wounds. In addition, because the ActicoatTM dressing can be left on the wound for several days, repeated environmental exposure of the wound and potential trauma to it are significantly reduced.
“We believe the long-lasting antimicrobial effects of the ActicoatTM dressing represent the most important advance in more than 25 years in the prevention of burn wound infections,” said Dr. Raymont. Burn victims are extremely susceptible to infections. In severe cases, where victims have burns to 80 per cent or more of their bodies, microbial infection is the leading cause of death.
About Westaim Biomedical
Westaim Biomedical Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Westaim Corporation. Westaim specializes in launching high-potential technologies into the marketplace. Its other technology businesses include: Westaim Advanced Display Technologies Inc., which is developing a revolutionary low-cost flat panel display, and Surface Engineered Products Corp., which has developed surface engineered technologies and materials for severe applications in the petrochemical industry. Westaim also operates three industrial businesses that produce aerospace materials, coin blanks and chemical products. A TSE 300 company, Westaim’s common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, The Alberta Stock Exchange and The Montreal Exchange under the trading symbol WED.
For further information, please contact:
At The Company:
Tony Johnston
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(403) 234-3103
tjohnsto@westaim.com
www.westaim.com
Media Relations:
Kerry Sweeney
Southard Communications
(212) 777-2220 ext. 19
kerry@southardinc.com
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