One of the causes of a chronic infectious process is associated with the formation of biofilms by bacteria. Biofilms pose a widespread threat to humans, animals, and the environment. The continued rise in antimicrobial resistance requires effective treatment of biofilm-associated infections.

Growing resistance to antibiotics

Bacteria in biofilms are much more resistant to antibiotics, host immune systems, bacteriophages, and many adverse factors than planktonic cells¹.
Multiple factors appear to contribute to the overall resistance of biofilm bacteria. These include reduced metabolic and growth rates, protection by extracellular polymeric substances and specific resistance mechanisms conferred by the altered physiology of biofilm bacteria compared with planktonic bacteria². These resistant forms of bacterial infections are difficult to treat.

Antibiotics, which are the main treatment for bacterial infections, are practically ineffective in combating microbes that grow in the form of biofilms. To date, no antibiotics have been found for use against biofilms. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is on the rise, but biofilm multidrug resistance is outpacing this growth.

Standard antimicrobial treatments typically fail to eradicate biofilms, which can result in chronic infection and the need for surgical removal of afflicted areas. The need to create effective therapies to counter biofilm infections presents one of the most pressing challenges in anti-bacterial drug development.
Therefore, the search for alternative means of combating pathogens capable of forming biofilms is currently an urgent medical problem.

SilverStream Medical developed a unique formula to attack and destroy bacterial biofilms, without toxic or cytotoxic action on healthy tissue and cells. Broad spectrum efficacy of the solution helps defend from microbial contamination and biofilm reformation.
Ensured by the synergetic effect of menthol and a low concentration of ionic silver (0.01%) in Silvet Solution blocks the growth of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and destroys microorganisms but it is non-cytotoxic to proliferating granulation tissue.

Moreover, Silvet Solution has proven to be effective even in cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it a promising alternative in the fight against growing antibiotic resistance. By targeting and destroying biofilms, Silvet Solution offers an innovative solution to chronic infections and other health issues caused by biofilm-forming pathogens.

As the global health crisis continues to unfold, addressing the growing resistance to antibiotics is of utmost importance. SilverStream Medical offers a ray of hope in this fight, providing a safe and effective means of combating biofilm infections. With continued research and development, there is hope for a future where even the most stubborn biofilms can be eradicated, improving the lives of countless individuals and animals affected by infections.

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REFERENCES

1. Davies D. Understanding biofilm resistance to antibacterial agents. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2003;2(2):114-122. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd1008
2. Flemming H-C, Wingender J, Szewzyk U, Steinberg P, Rice SA, Kjelleberg S. Biofilms: an emergent form of bacterial life. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2016;14:563. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro.2016.94
3. SilverStream’s Anti-Biofilm Effectiveness. Evaluation of an Ionic Silver Solution against Dual Species In-Vitro Wound Biofilms. Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana CBE – USA