Inhibition of bacterial growth in vitro following stimulation with high voltage, monophasic, pulsed current.

Low-intensity direct current has been reported to be effective in promoting healing of infected wounds, and these results have been assumed to apply to stimulation of wound tissue with monophasic high voltage pulsed current (HVPC). The purpose of this study was to determine whether HVPC has an inhibitory effect on growth in vitro of three bacterial species--Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa--commonly isolated from open wounds. Following exposure to HVPC, the measured zone of inhibition of bacterial growth was not significantly different between bacterial species. Inhibition at the anode (positive pole) occurred secondary to build-up of toxic end products, and inhibition at the cathode (negative pole) resulted from exposure to HVPC. Duration of exposure and voltage showed a highly significant linear relationship. Exposure to more than 250 V of HVPC for at least two hours resulted in some degree of inhibition of growth in all three bacterial species.