The role of syringe filters in harm reduction among injection drug users.
rct · Level II
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 10432918.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 1508672.
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Abstract
Three filters were tested for in situ efficacy in reducing bacterial contamination associated with injection drug use. In a self-matched control design with blinded laboratory testing, injection drug users were asked to use 3 filters in random succession when loading their syringes with drug solute. The 0.22-micron filter proved significantly better than both the cigarette filter (relative risk [RR] = 18.0) and the 20-micron filter (RR = 4.5) in rendering syringes bacteria-free. The 15- to 20-micron syringe filter currently provided injection drug users in Switzerland does not significantly reduce contamination associated with common bacterial infections among users. Filters with pore width 1/100th as large are recommended.
Medical subject headings
- Communicable Disease Control
- Equipment Contamination
- Filtration
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- Syringes