Metallic Copper as an Antimicrobial Surface

Abstract

3Bacteria, yeasts, and viruses are rapidly killed on metallic copper surfaces, and the term "contact killing" has been coined for this process. While the phenomenon was already known in ancient times, it is currently receiving renewed attention. This is due to the potential use of copper as an antibacterial material in health care settings. Contact killing was observed to take place at a rate of at least 7 to 8 logs per hour, and no live microorganisms were generally recovered from copper surfaces after prolonged incubation. The antimicrobial activity of copper and copper alloys is now well established, and copper has recently been registered at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the first solid antimicrobial material. In several clinical studies, copper has been evaluated for use on touch surfaces, such as door handles, bathroom fixtures, or bed rails, in attempts to curb nosocomial infections. In connection to these new applications of copper, it is important to understand the mechanism of contact killing since it may bear on central issues, such as the possibility of the emergence and spread of resistant organisms, cleaning procedures, and questions of material and object engineering. Recent work has shed light on mechanistic aspects of contact killing. These findings will be reviewed here and juxtaposed with the toxicity mechanisms of ionic copper. The merit of copper as a hygienic material in hospitals and related settings will also be discussed.

Monitoring of trace metals, biochemical composition and growth of Axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne Risso, 1827) in offshore Copper alloy net cage

“…Sci., 17/2, 2016, 396-403 397 have overall benefits due to better fish growth induced by increased feeding rate, reduced fish stress and lower labor costs from net cleanings and changes (Yigit et al, 2013). The antimicrobial properties of copper alloys in health care applications are well documented (Grass et al, 2011). Recently, copper alloys have been fabricated into wire mesh materials for use in cage nets in place of polymer netting.…”

Antibacterial and Biocompatible Titanium-Copper Oxide Coating May Be a Potential Strategy to Reduce Periprosthetic Infection: An In Vitro Study

“…Initiatives to minimize bacterial colonization at the time of insertion have been studied in the past with slow permeation in the clinical setting [1,39,48]. Several preclinical and clinical studies support the use of copper alloy touch surfaces to reduce the burden of bacteria in healthcare settings [10,11,33], but few studies support the use of copper implants to reduce periprosthetic infections [6,18,27,41]. The ideal antibacterial coating should be biocompatible, thin, dense, and firm with precise decay of the active material.…”

“…The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved over 300 copper alloys as antimicrobial touch surfaces [11] and its public health benefit has been supported by a multicenter study that showed patients treated in intensive care units with copper alloy surfaces had a significantly lower incidence of hospital-acquired infections and/or colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or vancomycin-resistant enterococci than did patients treated in standard rooms [33]. Regarding the use of implants containing copper, practically all clinical experience comes from the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices made of copper [21].…”

New evidence for Cu-decorated binary-oxides mediating bacterial inactivation/mineralization in aerobic media

“…Therefore, the development of innovative antibacterial surfaces presenting long-term effective operational lifetimes, biocompatibility and mechanical resistance is a timely research subject. Antibacterial Cu-colloids have been reported during the last 3 decades showing their antibacterial activity [1]. Bacteria, yeasts, and viruses have been abated on metallic copper surfaces, and the term "contact killing" has been coined for this process.…”