Journal List > Ann Clin Microbiol > v.21(4) > 1109552

Kim, Kim, Kim, Cho, Park, and Lee: Inhibitory Effect of Metal Surface on the Antimicrobial Resistance Microorganism

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the bactericidal effects of copper, brass (copper 78%, tin 22%), and stainless steel against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREFM), and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA).

Methods

The isolates (MRSA, VREFM, MRPA) used in this study were mixed wild type 3 strains isolated from patients treated at Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital in 2017. These strains showed patterns of multidrug resistance. The lyophilized strains were inoculated into and incubated for 24 hr in tryptic soy broth at 35℃. The initial bacterial inoculum concentration was adjusted to 105 CFU/mL. A 100-mL bacterial suspension was incubated in containers made of brass (copper 78%, tin 22%), copper (above 99% purity), and stainless steel at 35℃. Viable counts of bacteria strains were measured for 9 days.

Results

In this study, the bactericidal effects of copper and brass on MRSA, VREFM, and MRPA were verified. The bactericidal effect of stainless steel was much weaker than those of copper and brass. The bactericidal effect was stronger on MRPA than on MRSA or VREFM.

Conclusion

To prevent cross infection of multidrug resistant bacteria in hospitals, further studies of longer duration are needed for testing of copper materials on objects such as door knobs, faucets, and bed rails.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

(A) Viable count of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in phosphate buffered water of brass, copper and stainless steel container. (B) Viable count of S. aureus (ATCC 29213) in phosphate buffered water of brass, copper and stainless steel container.

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Fig. 2

(A) Viable count of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in phosphate buffered water of brass, copper and stainless steel container. (B) Viable count of E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) in phosphate buffered water of brass, copper and stainless steel container.

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Fig. 3

(A) Viable count of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in phosphate buffered water of brass, copper and stainless steel container. (B) Viable count of P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) in phosphate buffered water of brass, copper and stainless steel container.

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Table 1

Antibiotic profiles of the Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

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Abbreviations: AM, ampicillin; AMC, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid; AN, amikacin; ATM, aztreonam; AZM, azithromycin; CAZ, ceftazidime; CFT, cefotaxime; CC, clindamycin; CIP, ciprofloxacin; CL, colistin; DAP, daptomycin; E, erythromycin; FA, fusidic acid; FD, nitrofurantoin; FEP, cefepime; FOS, fosfomycin; GM, gentamycin; GMS, gentamycin synergy; IPM, imipenem; LNZ, linezolid; LVX, levofloxacin; MEM, meropenem; MI, minocycline; MUP, mupirocin; MXF, moxifloxacin; OX, oxacillin; P, penicillin; PIP, piperacillin; RA, rifampin; SAM, ampicillin/sulbactam; StS, streptomycin synergy screen; SXT, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole; SYN, synercid; TE, tetracycline; TEC, teicoplanin; TGC, tigecyclin; TIM, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid; TOB, tobramycin; TZP, piperacillin/tazobactam; VA, vancomycin; R, resistant; S, susceptible; I, intermediate; X, not tested.

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SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS

Supplementary Table 1

Antibiotic profiles of the Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853
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