New Study Shows Copper Could Control MRSA Contamination
A new study holds promise for stemming MRSA contamination by using copper alloys for surfaces in healthcare facilities. Doctors C. William Keevil and J.O. Noyce of the University of Southampton, U.K., reported the study at the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in May in New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS, LA (PRWEB) June 24, 2004 -- A new study holds promise for
stemming MRSA contamination by using copper alloys for surfaces in healthcare
facilities. Doctors C. William Keevil and J.O. Noyce of the University of
Southampton, U.K., reported the study here at a meeting of the American Society
for Microbiology.
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a
virulent organism, essentially resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g.,
penicillins, ampicillins, cephalosporins). MRSA, one of the so-called
"superbugs", can cause skin, bone and life-threatening blood infections, as well
as pneumonia. It occurs commonly among persons in hospitals and healthcare
facilities, where it is typically transmitted by medical staff, patients and by
contact with heavily contaminated equipment and environmental surfaces around
infected patients.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, nosocomial infections are the fourth leading cause of death in the
United States, after heart disease, cancer and strokes. MRSA ranks as the
nation's second most antimicrobial-resistant infection, with its highest
incidence in Intensive Care Units, followed by non-ICU inpatient
areas.
The study compared the survival rates of the often-deadly bacteria
on stainless steel, the most commonly used metal in healthcare facilities, and
on selected copper alloys. At room temperature, MRSA was able to persist and
remain viable in dried deposits on stainless steel (C304) for periods up to 72
hours. For copper alloys – C77000 (55% copper), C24000 (80% copper) and C19700
(99% copper) – significant reductions in viability were achieved after 4.5
hours, 3 hours and 1.5 hours, respectively. The yellow brass rendered the
bacteria completely inviable after 270 minutes, while the high-copper alloy took
only 90 minutes.
[Editors: Graphic and caption available at:
http://www.copper.org/about/pressreleases/2004/pr2004_05_19_A.html
Dr.
Keevil said the study strongly indicates that use of the copper metals in such
applications as door knobs, push plates, fittings, fixtures and work surfaces
would considerably mitigate MRSA in hospitals and reduce the risk of
cross-contamination between staff and patients in critical care areas. He also
explained that, despite the significant performance of copper alloys in this
study, the survivability of MRSA on all metals at lower temperatures (39°F/4°C)
is much greater, indicating that heightened hygiene is particularly imperative
in those environments.
Keevil added that the antimicrobial effects of
copper have been well documented. He cited recent studies on E. coli O157 and
Listeria monocytogenes on copper alloy surfaces that show similar dramatic
results, reducing viability of those pathogens from several weeks on stainless
steel to only a matter of hours on copper alloys.
The MRSA study is
co-funded by the International Copper Association and Copper Development
Association Inc., New York, and managed by CDA.
Dr. Harold Michels, CDA
vice president of technical services, said the study clearly shows that "the use
of stainless steel in hospital environments for work surfaces and door furniture
is potentially exacerbating an already critical situation with regards to MRSA
transmission and infection." Michels stressed the desirability for the
healthcare industry to evaluate and to begin using copper alloy hardware and
surfaces, especially in high human-contact areas.
A copy of the study
report, "The Antimicrobial Effect of Copper and Copper-based Alloys on
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus," may be obtained by contacting
CDA.
The Copper Development Association is the information, education,
market and technical development arm of the copper, brass and bronze industries
in the USA.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/6/prweb136016.htm