The Effect of Nanosilver Paint on Reducing Fungal Contamination in Hospitals

Background & Aims: Nanosilver-based paint is a new technology with antimicrobial and antifungal characteristics. These characteristics were investigated in this study with regard to fungal contamination in hospitals. Method: Regarding hospitalization of transplant patients and their sensitivity to hospital infections, two similar rooms were selected in nephrology ward. One of them was painted with Nanosilver paint and the other one with ordinary paint. Sampling was done via Swap Sterile and Open Plate. A total of 350 samples was obtained and colony-forming units in Open Plate and Surface Culture methods in case and control rooms were compared. Results: Mean colony- forming units in case and control groups showed significant difference in both open plate and surface culture methods (P<0.000, P<0.001 respectively). In studying the effect of time passing on the effectiveness of nanosilver paint, P values were 0.165 and 0.644 for open plate and surface culture methods respectively. Conclusion: It was found that Nanosilver paint is indeed effective in reducing both air and surface fungal contamination, but it is more effective on surface. Moreover, the passing of time had no effect on the effectiveness of the paint.