Bacterial and fungal absorption properties of a hydrogel dressing with a superabsorbent polymer core.
OBJECTIVE: To study in vitro the micro-organism absorption properties of a hydrogel wound dressing, TenderWet. METHOD: Microbial films on agar plates and suspensions with common wound bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans) were studied. RESULTS: The hydrogel dressing reduced the number of micro-organisms significantly, both on the agar plate and in suspension. The in vitro data show that the hydrogel dressing absorbed the micro-organisms from the environment. Electron microscopic imaging clearly demonstrated that the germs were attached to the surface of the dressing's superabsorbent polymer core. CONCLUSION: In vitro data show that the hydrogel dressing TenderWet attracts and retains micro-organisms and reduces the number of viable germs. Clinical experience underlines this fast cleansing and debriding effect of the hydrogel wound dressing.