The germ slaying properties of silver have been known for quite some time, which is why it is frequently used in medical instruments. But scientists have recently discovered that not only does silver eradicate harmful bacteria, it can also transform it.

The Germ Zombie Effect

Researchers recently discovered that when germs are exposed to silver solution, they will transform into a type of zombie which then destroys their living counterparts even once they’re deceased. These incredible results provide an explanation for why silver has such long lasting antibacterial characteristics. It also reveals how the precious metal can be utilized to enhance medical instrument performance to keep patients safe from hazardous pathogens.

Silver’s use in medicine and jewelry dates back thousands of years. Although the ancients didn’t recognize the existence of microorganisms and the harm they could cause, they certainly knew that silver could be therapeutic. Silver ions do their work by creating holes inside bacterial membranes then causing havoc within them. They will also bind themselves to important cellular components such as DNA, which stops bacteria from carrying out even basic functions.

However, the germ zombie effect was previously unknown to science. Researchers were able to discover this phenomenon by first killing a Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium sample with silver nitrate solution. Afterwards, they carefully isolated the deceased bacteria from silver solution, and when living bacteria were placed in close proximity to the deceased bacteria, what followed was nothing short of a massacre, with 99 percent of living bacteria being completely destroyed.

What Causes It?

After observing this incredible effect, the scientists used electron microscopy to image the deceased bacteria. This enabled them to figure out what made them initiate the killing spree. It turns out that silver nanoparticle reservoirs had accumulated inside their corpses. This means that the deceased bacteria functioned similar to sponges, absorbing the silver while dying. It was then stored in a manner where it could subsequently leak out into their surroundings.

The scientists also assessed the solution’s slaying power by separating it from zombie bacteria. When using lower concentration silver nitrate, the solution which was leftover wasn’t sufficiently potent to totally eradicate the next group of bacteria. This implies that the bacteria actually remove the silver from its solution. However, when the scientists begin with larger silver nitrate concentrations, the solution maintain its slaying power through both bacterial groups, likely because the initial bacteria  wasn’t able to fully soak up the silver.

Future Implications of This Research

This discovery is groundbreaking because it can give medical practitioners more options for controlling silver treatment longevity. Both hospitals and physicians depend on a variety of medical products which are silver infused, like catheters or bandages to stop bacterial spread. The precious metal can also be applied to wounds which are severe, along with door handle coatings to minimize the presence of germs.

Currently, most manufacturers believe maintaining a lifetime antibacterial performance requires building devices so they can give off silver ions for a certain period of time. But the germ zombie effect can allow for superior design since products can be tailored to leave deceased bacteria lying about so the antimicrobial power is further reinforced.