JAC Advance Access originally published online on June 13, 2007
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 2007 60(2):294-299; doi:10.1093/jac/dkm201
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Three novel highly charged copper-based biocides: safety and efficacy against healthcare-associated organisms
1 Department of Microbiology, University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London W1T 4JF, UK 2 Remedy Research Ltd, 8 Blenheim Road, London W4 1UA, UK
Received 21 February 2007; returned 24 April 2007; revised 3 May 2007; accepted 10 May 2007
* Corresponding author. Tel: +44-207-380-9912; E-mail: vanya.gant{at}uclh.nhs.uk
Objectives: We investigated three novel highly charged copper-based inorganic biocidal formulations for their activity against organisms highly relevant to healthcare-associated infection.
Methods: The three copper-based formulations were tested: (i) against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Legionella pneumophila, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus/baumannii (ACCB), glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus and spores of Clostridium difficile in time–kill assays; (ii) for their ability to decontaminate ultramicrofibre (UMF) cloths; and (iii) for their cytotoxicity to human skin and intestinal epithelial cells.
Results: All three copper-based formulations were potently biocidal down to concentrations of 1 ppm for both stationary- and log-phase organisms, and they were all active against C. difficile spores. At 150 ppm, they achieved a complete (>6 log10) kill of MRSA and ACCB mostly within 1 h. This biocidal activity was not achieved by copper sulphate or the inorganic binders used in the formulations. All three copper-based formulations completely decontaminated UMF cloths containing MRSA, ACCB or C. difficile spores, suggesting that any of these copper-based formulations would be highly beneficial in the healthcare environment. All three copper-based formulations and copper sulphate were not cytotoxic to human epithelial cells up to concentrations of 100–200 ppm.
Conclusions: All three of the novel copper-based biocidal formulations, but not their components (copper sulphate and inorganic binders), have potent activity against organisms highly relevant to healthcare-associated infections.
Keywords: MRSA , Acinetobacter , Clostridium difficile , cytotoxicity
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