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.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abou Neel E.A., Ahmed I., Pratten J., Pratten J., Nazhat S.N., Knowles J.C. (2005). Characterisation of antibacterial copper releasing degradable phosphate glass fibres. Biomaterials, 26: 2247–2254.
Airey P., Verran J. (2007). Potential use of copper as a hygienic surface; problems associated with cumulative soiling and cleaning. J. Hosp. Infect., 67: 271–277.
Andrews J.M. for the BSAC Working Party on Susceptibility Testing (2007). BSAC standardized disc susceptibility testing method (version 6). J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 60: 20–41.
Baena M.I., Marquez M.C., Matres V., Botella J., Ventosa A. (2006). Bactericidal activity of copper and niobium-alloyed austenitic stainless steel. Curr. Microbiol., 53: 491–495.
Cooney T.E. (1995). Bactericidal, activity of copper and noncopper paints. Infect. Control. Hosp. Epidemiol., 16: 444–450.
Dollwet H.H.A., Sorenson J.R.J. (2001). Historic uses of copper compounds in medicine. J. Trace. Elem. Med. Biol., 2: 80–87.
Faúndez G., Troncoso M., Navarrete P., Figueroa G. (2004). Antimicrobial activity of copper surfaces against suspensions ofSalmonella enterica andCampylobacter jejuni. BMC Microbiol., 4: 19.
Halwani M., Solaymani-Dodaran M., Grundmann H., Coupland C., Slack R.J. (2006). Cross-transmission of nosocomial pathogens in an adult intensive care unit: incidence and risk factors. J. Hosp. Infect., 63: 39–46.
Kramer A., Schwebke I., Kampf G. (2006). How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? A systematic review. BMC Infect. Dis., 16: 130.
Lautenbach E., Polk R.E. (2007). Resistant Gram-negative bacilli: A neglected healthcare crisis? Am. J. Health-Syst. Ph., 64: S3–21.
Mclean R.J.C., Hussain A.A., Sayer M., Vincent P.J., Hughes D.J., Smith T.J.N. (1993). Antibacterial activity of multilayer silver copper surface-films on catheter material. Can. J. Microbiol., 39: 895–899.
Mehtar S., Wiid I., Todorov S.D. (2008). The antimicrobial activity of copper and copper alloys against nosocomial pathogens andMycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from healthcare facilities in the Western Cape: an in-vitro study. J. Hosp. Infect., 68: 45–51.
Noyce J.O., Michels H., Keevil C.W. (2006a). Use of copper cast alloys to controlEscherichia coli O157 cross-contamination during food processing. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 72: 4239–4244.
Noyce J.O., Michels H., Keevil C.W. (2006b). Potential use of copper surfaces to reduce survival of epidemic meticillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus in the healthcare environment. J. Hosp. Infect., 63: 289–297.
Oie S., Hosokawa I., Kamiya A. (2002). Contamination of room door handles by methicillin-sensitive/ methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus. J. Hosp. Infect., 51: 140–143.
Qin Y.M., Zhu C.J., Chen J., Liang D., Wo G.F. (2007). Absorption and release of zinc and copper ions by chitosan fibers. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 105: 527–532.
Ruparelia J.P., Chatteriee A.K., Duttagupta S.P., Mukherji S. (2008). Strain specificity in antimicrobial activity of silver and copper nanoparticles. Acta Biomater., 4: 707–716.
Song J.S., Lee S., Cha G.C., Jung S.H., Choi S.Y., Kim K.H., Mun M.S. (2005). Surface modification of silicone rubber by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) for improved biocompatibility. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 96: 1095–1101.
Thneibat A., Fontana M., Cochran M.A., Gonzalez-Cabezas C., Moore B.K., Matis B.A., Lund M.R. (2008). Anticariogenic and antibacterial properties of a copper varnish using anin vitro microbial caries model. Oper. Dent., 33: 142–148.
Vonberg R.P., Wolter A., Chaberny I.F., Kola A., Ziesing S., Suerbaum S., Gastmeier P. (2007). Epidemiology of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: Data from an university hospital over a 36-month period. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health., 211: 251–257.
Weaver L., Michels H.T., Keevil C.W. (2008). Survival ofClostridium difficile on copper and steel: futuristic options for hospital hygiene. J. Hosp. Infect., 68: 145–151.
Wheeldon L.J., Worthington T., Lambert P.A., Hilton A.C., Lowden C.J., Elliott T.S. (2008). Antimicrobial efficacy of copper surfaces against spores and vegetative cells ofClostridium difficile: the germination theory. J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 62: 522–525.
Yates H.M., Brook L.A., Sheel D.W., Ditta I.B., Steele A., Foster H.A. (2008). The growth of copper oxides on glass by flame assisted chemical vapour deposition. Thin Solid Films, doi: 10.1016/j.tsf.2008.06.071
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gould, S.W.J., Fielder, M.D., Kelly, A.F. et al. The antimicrobial properties of copper surfaces against a range of important nosocomial pathogens. Ann. Microbiol. 59, 151–156 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03175613
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03175613