I have know this for sometime!!
Copper restricts the spread of global
antibiotic-resistant infections
by Staff Writers
Southampton, UK (SPX) Dec 11, 2012
This is Professor Bill Keevil in
his lab. Credit: University of Southampton.
New research from the University of
Southampton has shown that copper can prevent horizontal transmission of genes,
which has contributed to the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant
infections worldwide.
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in bacteria is
largely responsible for the development of antibiotic-resistance, which has led
to an increasing number of difficult-to-treat healthcare-associated infections
(HCAIs).
The newly-published paper, which appears in
the journal mBio, shows that while HGT can take place in the environment, on
frequently-touched surfaces, such as door handles, trolleys and tables, which
are made from stainless steel - copper prevents this process from occurring and
rapidly kills bacteria on contact.
Lead author Professor Bill Keevil, Chair in
Environmental Healthcare at the University of Southampton, explains:
"Whilst studies have focussed on HGT in vivo (an experiment that is done
in the body of a living organism), this work investigates whether the ability
of pathogens to persist in the environment, particularly on touch surfaces, may
also play an important role. Here we show prolonged survival of multidrug
resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae on stainless steel surfaces
for several weeks.
However, rapid death of both
antibiotic-resistant strains and destruction of plasmid and genomic DNA was
observed on copper and copper alloy surfaces, which could be useful in the
prevention of infection spread and gene transfer."
Showing that horizontal transmission of genes
(for example, those governing antibiotic resistance) occurs on touch surfaces,
supports the important role of the environment in infection prevention.
Professor Keevil summarises: "We know
many human pathogens survive for long periods in the hospital environment and
can lead to infection, expensive treatment, blocked beds and death.
"What we have shown in this work is the
potential for strategically-placed antimicrobial copper touch surfaces to not
only break the chain of contamination, but also actively reduce the risk of
antibiotic resistance developing at the same time. Provided adequate cleaning
continues in critical environments, copper can be employed as an important
additional tool in the fight against pathogens."
Beyond the healthcare environment, copper
also has a wider role to play in infection control. Professor Keevil explains:
"Copper touch surfaces have promise for preventing antibiotic resistance
transfer in public buildings and mass transportation systems, which lead to
local and - in the case of jet travel - rapid worldwide dissemination of
multi-drug resistant superbugs as soon as they appear.
"People with inadequate hand hygiene
could exchange their bugs and different antibiotic resistance genes just by
touching a stair rail or door handle, ready to be picked up by someone else and
passed on. Copper substantially reduces and restricts the spread of these
infections, making an important contribution to improved hygiene and,
consequently, health."
Installations of copper touch surfaces have
already taken place across the UK and around the world, harnessing copper's
ability to continuously reduce bioburden and consequently the risk of HCAI
transmission.
This research offers additional evidence to
deploy copper (and copper-containing alloys that benefit from the metal's
antimicrobial properties) in the form of touch surfaces to provide extra
protection alongside standard hygiene practices.
