Editing Medical uses of silver (section)

==Mechanism of action==
Silver and most silver compounds have an [[oligodynamic effect]] and are toxic for bacteria, algae, and fungi ''[[in vitro]]''. The antibacterial action of silver is dependent on the silver ion.<ref name=pmid16766878/> The effectiveness of silver compounds as an antiseptic is based on the ability of the biologically active silver ion ({{chem|Ag|+}}) to irreversibly damage key enzyme systems in the cell membranes of pathogens.<ref name=pmid16766878/> The antibacterial action of silver has long been known to be enhanced by the presence of an [[electric field]]. Applying an electric current across silver electrodes enhances antibiotic action at the anode, likely due to the release of silver into the bacterial culture.<ref name=pmid15825319>{{cite journal | vauthors = Spadaro JA, Berger TJ, Barranco SD, Chapin SE, Becker RO | title = Antibacterial effects of silver electrodes with weak direct current | journal = Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy | volume = 6 | issue = 5 | pages = 637–42 | date = November 1974 | pmid = 15825319 | pmc = 444706 | doi = 10.1128/AAC.6.5.637 }}</ref> The antibacterial action of electrodes coated with silver nanostructures is greatly improved in the presence of an electric field.<ref name=pmid27877266>{{cite journal | vauthors = Akhavan O, Ghaderi E | title = Enhancement of antibacterial properties of Ag nanorods by electric field | journal = Science and Technology of Advanced Materials | volume = 10 | issue = 1 | pages = 015003 | date = February 2009 | pmid = 27877266 | pmc = 5109610 | doi = 10.1088/1468-6996/10/1/015003 | bibcode = 2009STAdM..10a5003A }}</ref>

Silver, used as a topical antiseptic, is incorporated by bacteria it kills. Thus dead bacteria may be the source of silver that may kill additional bacteria.<ref name="pmid25906433">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wakshlak RB, Pedahzur R, Avnir D | title = Antibacterial activity of silver-killed bacteria: the "zombies" effect | journal = Scientific Reports | volume = 5 | pages = 9555 | date = April 2015 | pmid = 25906433 | pmc = 5386105 | doi = 10.1038/srep09555 | bibcode = 2015NatSR...5.9555W}}</ref>