Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticle Gel Versus a Common Antibacterial Hand Gel

• Status: Unknown status
• Trial end date: 2008-08-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The purpose of this pilot study is to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of silver nanoparticle gel to a commercialized alcohol-based hand gel on bacterial counts isolated from the hands of 40 volunteers seeded with Serratia marcescens, a surrogate microbial marker. Specific aims of this study are: Aim #1: Compare the immediate antimicrobial efficacy of a one-time application of silver nanoparticle gel (SilvaSorb , AcryMed, Inc., Portland, OR) versus an alcohol-based hand gel (Purell, GoJo Industries, Akron, OH) in reducing transient bacterial counts isolated from hands seeded with S. marcescens.

Aim # 2: Compare the persistent antimicrobial efficacy of a one-time application of silver nanoparticle gel (SilvaSorb) versus an alcohol-based hand gel (Purell) over a 10 minute time frame in producing a persistent reduction on transient bacterial counts isolated from hands seeded with S. marcescens.

Aim # 3: Compare user acceptability of silver nanoparticle gel (SilvaSorb) versus an alcohol-based hand gel (Purell) using a self-assessment questionnaire.

• Phase: Phase 3
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Madigan Army Medical Center
• Treatments: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ethanol

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > 18 years old

• Ability to read and understand English (for consent purposes)

• Free of clinically evident dermatitis, open wounds, sores, or breaks in hand skin determined by a Visual Skin Scale (VSS).

• Free of hand jewelry or artificial nail enhancements

• Have fingernails that are clean and extend no longer than approximately one (1) mm past the nail bed

Exclusion Criteria:

• Anyone directly working in a healthcare, public health, or long term residence setting.

• Currently receiving any antibiotics, or on any other in as investigational drug, steroids or immunosuppressive therapy.

• Reports cuts, scratches, or skin disorders, or Dermatitis visualized by the PI/AI using the Visual Skin Scale (VSS).

• Reports any form of current immune disorders such as AIDS, lupus, any cancers (solid or hematopoietic), or other medical conditions such as diabetes, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or an organ transplant recipient.

• Known sensitivities or allergies to silver, alcohol, latex, soap, detergent, antibiotics.

• Any use of artificial nail enhancements or any non-removable rings

• Primary care provider or resident in a setting where someone has known impaired immunocompetence (currently receiving chemotherapy, HIV positive), requires wound care or intravenous management.

• Currently pregnant/lactating or taking care of children under the age of 3 or anyone that requires diaper changing.