The Antimicrobial Action of Silver Halides in Calcium Phosphate

Abstract

Silver halides represent a yet unexplored avenue for imparting antimicrobial activity in calcium phosphates. Silver halide colloids were added to calcium phosphate. Concurrent melting of silver halides and crystallization of carbonated apatite was achieved by heating to increase the silver halide surface area available to bacteria.Pseudomonas aeruginosa were more sensitive to silver iodide and silver bromide than Staphylococcus aureus. Silver iodide demonstrated greater activity than silver bromide. Silver chloride did not produce an antibacterial response. Both amorphous calcium phosphate and carbonated apatite displayed similar antibacterial activity when accompanied by silver halides. It is thought that amorphous calcium phosphate dissolves more readily and increases the bioavailability of the silver halide particles. Silver iodide displays a greater antibacterial response of all silver halides, with a response that is improved in a more resorbable matrix.