Antifungal and antibacterial properties of a silver-loaded cellulosic fiber

The skin is the interface between the body and the environment. Each skin type has a specific skin physiology and is more or less adapted for protection against multiple stress factors. Textiles on the other hand are the tissues with the longest contact to the human skin. They play a critical role especially in skin conditions with an increased rate of bacterial and fungal infections like atopic dermatitis and hyperhidrosis, and in diabetic patients and aged skin. The present study demonstrates the antifungal and antibacterial effects of SeaCell Active in an in vitro test system against Candida albicans (DSM 11225), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 1169), and Candida krusei (ATCC 6258). Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of fibers with different amounts of SeaCell Active fibers in a dose-dependent manner against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 22923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218) could be demonstrated. If this fiber seems to be suited for bioactive textiles in specific anatomical regions and skin conditions with a susceptibility for fungal and bacterial infections due to Candida species, namely Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, must be examined by means of further investigations, especially in vivo tests in human, considering allergic and toxic effects of the fiber.