What are antimicrobials?
An antimicrobial is a substance or mixture of substances used to destroy or suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi on inanimate objects and surfaces. In our case, antimicrobials kill bacteria to keep patients free of germs and potential infections. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates antimicrobials used as drugs or antiseptics.
What does antimicrobial mean?
Anti- (“counteracting or effective against”) and -microbial (“of, or pertaining to, microbes”) means to destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
What is the difference between “antimicrobial” and “antibacterial”?
Antibacterial products are focused strictly on helping to prevent or kill bacteria. Antibiotics are also a form of antibacterial. Antibacterial products and antibiotics cannot be used to treat viral infections, such as a cold or the flu.
Antimicrobial products kill or slow the spread of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi like mold and mildew. Essentially, antimicrobial products include antibacterial products.
The smooth medical-grade foam of the CareDry® sponge contains two antimicrobials bonded to the foam matrix of the sponge: Zinc Omadine (Zinc, 2-pyridinethiol-l-oxide) and Thiabendazole (2-(4-Thiazolyl)-1H-benzimidazole).
Why use those two antimicrobials?
Zinc Omadine (Zinc, 2-pyridinethiol-l-oxide) is most commonly used as an antibacterial for treating Staphylococcus infections. Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria found on the skin. This bacteria usually causes no or minor problems; however, more severe cases can arise if the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
Thiabendazole (2-(4-Thiazolyl)-1H-benzimidazole) is a form of the benzimidazole compound. Benzimidazoles have been proven effective against various strains of microorganisms, supporting antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticancer activity. They play an essential role in the pharmacological and biochemical fields.
Zinc Omadine (Zinc, 2-pyridinethiol-l-oxide) and Thiabendazole (2-(4-Thiazolyl)-1H-benzimidazole) are used to inhibit the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
What do gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria mean?
Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are classified based on a Gram stain test, in which a crystal violet dye is applied to a sample. Gram-positive bacteria will appear to have a blue color, while the gram-negative bacteria will stain red.
Gram-positive bacteria cause infections like toxic shock syndrome and Staphylococcal aureus infections.
Gram-negative bacteria cause infections like bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and wound or surgical site infections.
How does this benefit you?
The CareDry® antimicrobial sponge actively protects against developing microorganisms to inhibit harmful bacterial formation.
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