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C Caflisch, J Wang, and R Zbinden.  The role of syringe filters in harm reduction among injection drug users.. American Journal of Public Health: August 1999, Vol. 89, No. 8, pp. 1252-1254.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.89.8.1252

The role of syringe filters in harm reduction among injection drug users.

C Caflisch, J Wang, and R Zbinden


ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Three filters were tested for in situ efficacy in reducing bacterial contamination associated with injection drug use. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.