Battling the superbugs

AG Technologies has discovered a way to bind high-grade silver to fabric, a breakthrough claimed to be 99.99 per cent effective in preventing the spread of infection caused by MRSA.

The company’s proprietary method molecularly binds silver to thread, which can then be woven or knitted into laboratory coats, patient gowns, privacy curtains, sheets and mattress pads.

Dubbed Argent 47, the antimicrobial technology is said to be effective in preventing the spread of other antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including E.coli and staphylococcus.

Target markets include the hospitality sector and healthcare.

According to the UK’s Office of National Statistics, 1,593 death certificates mentioned Meticillin-resistant MRSA in 2007 alone.

Globally, around two million patients are said to suffer from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) each year, which translates into $4.5bn (approximately £3bn) in excess healthcare costs.

John C Rossi, president and chief financial officer of AG Technologies, told The Engineer Online that while Argent 47 will not eradicate MRSA, it has the potential to play a significant role in the battle against so-called ‘superbugs’.