Annals of Microbiology

, Volume 59, Issue 1, pp 151–156 | Cite as

The antimicrobial properties of copper surfaces against a range of important nosocomial pathogens

  • Simon W. J. Gould
  • Mark D. Fielder
  • Alison F. Kelly
  • Marina Morgan
  • Jackie Kenny
  • Declan P. Naughton
Applied Microbiology Original Articles
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Hospital acquired infections (HAI) are a major problem worldwide and controlling the spread of these infections within a hospital is a constant challenge. Recent studies have highlighted the antimicrobial properties of copper and its alloys against a range of different bacteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of copper compared to stainless steel against a range of clinically important pathogens. These pathogens consisted of five isolates of each of the following organisms; meticillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA),Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin positive community acquired-MSSA (PVL positive CA-MSSA). MRSA,P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and CA-MSSA isolates were not detectable after a median time of 60 minutes. No detectable levels for all VRE isolates were determined after a median time of 40 minutes. However, for all isolates tested the stainless steel had no effect on the survival of the bacteria and levels remained similar to the time zero count. The results of this study demonstrate that copper has a strong antimicrobial effect against a range of clinically important pathogens compared to stainless steel and potentially could be employed to aid the control HAI.

Key words

nosocomial pathogens copper infection antimicrobial 
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Copyright information

© University of Milan and Springer 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Simon W. J. Gould
    • 1
  • Mark D. Fielder
    • 1
  • Alison F. Kelly
    • 1
  • Marina Morgan
    • 2
  • Jackie Kenny
    • 3
  • Declan P. Naughton
    • 1
  1. 1.School of Life SciencesKingston UniversityLondonUK
  2. 2.Royal Devon and Exeter HospitalExeterUK
  3. 3.The Royal Marsden HospitalSutton, SurreyUK

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