Inhibitory Effect of Metal Surface on the Antimicrobial Resistance Microorganism.
- Author:
Jung Beom KIM
1
;
Jae Kwang KIM
;
Hyunjung KIM
;
Eun Jung CHO
;
Yeon Joon PARK
;
Hae Kyung LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Bactericidal effect; Brass; Copper; Multidrug resistant bacteria
- MeSH: Bacteria; Copper; Cross Infection; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Enterococcus faecium; Humans; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Stainless Steel; Tin
- From:Annals of Clinical Microbiology 2018;21(4):80-85
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- 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.
