Silver-coated textiles reduce Staphylococcus aureus colonization in patients with atopic eczema

Background. In atopic eczema (AE), skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is known to play a major triggering and possibly pathophysiological role. Methods: In this open-labeled controlled side-to-side comparative trial, affected sites (flexures of both elbows) in 15 patients diagnosed as having generalized or localized AE were evaluated regarding S. aureus colonization and clinical severity of AE over a 2-week period. Flexures of the elbows were covered with silver-coated textiles on one arm and cotton on the other for 7 days followed by a 7-day control period. Results: A highly significant decrease in S. aureus colonization could be seen on the site covered by the silver-coated textile already 2 days after initiation lasting until the end of the treatment. Seven days after cessation, S. aureus density remained significantly lower compared to baseline. In addition, significantly lower numbers of S. aureus were observed on the silver-coated textile site in comparison to cotton at the end of treatment as well as at the time point of control. Clinical improvement correlated with the reduction of S. aureus colonization. Conclusion: A superior improvement achieved by silver-coated compared to cotton textiles paralleled a potent anti-S.-aureus effect. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.