Antimicrobial properties of copper

Copper and its alloys (brasses, bronzes, cupronickel, copper-nickel-zinc, and others) are natural antimicrobial materials. Ancient civilizations exploited the antimicrobial properties of copper long before the concept of microbes became understood in the nineteenth century.[1][2][3] In addition to several copper medicinal preparations, it was also observed centuries ago that water contained in copper vessels or transported in copper conveyance systems was of better quality (i.e., no or little visible slime or biofouling formation) than water contained or transported in other materials.[4]

The antimicrobial properties of copper are still under active investigation. Molecular mechanisms responsible for the antibacterial action of copper have been a subject of intensive research. Scientists are also actively demonstrating the intrinsic efficacy of copper alloy "touch surfaces" to destroy a wide range of microorganisms that threaten public health.[5]

Mechanisms of action

In 1852 Victor Burq discovered those working with copper had far fewer deaths to cholera than anyone else, and did extensive research confirming this. In 1867 he presented his findings to the French Academies of Science and Medicine, informing them that putting copper on the skin was effective at preventing someone from getting cholera.[6]

The oligodynamic effect was discovered in 1893 as a toxic effect of metal ions on living cells, algae, molds, spores, fungi, viruses, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic microorganisms, even in relatively low concentrations.[7] This antimicrobial effect is shown by ions of copper as well as mercury, silver, iron, lead, zinc, bismuth, gold, and aluminium.

In 1973, researchers at Battelle Columbus Laboratories[8] conducted a comprehensive literature, technology, and patent search that traced the history of understanding the "bacteriostatic and sanitizing properties of copper and copper alloy surfaces", which demonstrated that copper, in very small quantities, has the power to control a wide range of molds, fungi, algae, and harmful microbes. Of the 312 citations mentioned in the review across the time period 1892–1973, the observations below are noteworthy:

A subsequent paper[15] probed some of copper's antimicrobial mechanisms and cited no fewer than 120 investigations into the efficacy of copper's action on microbes. The authors noted that the antimicrobial mechanisms are very complex and take place in many ways, both inside cells and in the interstitial spaces between cells.

Examples of some of the molecular mechanisms noted by various researchers include the following:

  • The 3-dimensional structure of proteins can be altered by copper, so that the proteins can no longer perform their normal functions. The result is inactivation of bacteria or viruses.[15]
  • Copper complexes form radicals that inactivate viruses.[16][17]
  • Copper may disrupt enzyme structures, and functions by binding to sulfur- or carboxylate-containing groups and amino groups of proteins.[18]
  • Copper may interfere with other essential elements, such as zinc and iron.
  • Copper facilitates deleterious activity in superoxide radicals. Repeated redox reactions on site-specific macromolecules generate HO• radicals, thereby causing "multiple hit damage" at target sites.[19][20]
  • Copper can interact with lipids, causing their peroxidation and opening holes in the cell membranes, thereby compromising the integrity of cells.[21] This can cause leakage of essential solutes, which in turn, can have a desiccating effect.
  • Copper damages the respiratory chain in Escherichia coli cells.[22] and is associated with impaired cellular metabolism.[23]
  • Faster corrosion correlates with faster inactivation of microorganisms. This may be due to increased availability of cupric ion, Cu2+, which is believed to be responsible for the antimicrobial action.[24]
  • In inactivation experiments on the flu strain, H1N1, which is nearly identical to the H5N1 avian strain and the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) strain, researchers hypothesized that copper's antimicrobial action probably attacks the overall structure of the virus and therefore has a broad-spectrum effect.[25]
  • Microbes require copper-containing enzymes to drive certain vital chemical reactions. Excess copper, however, can affect proteins and enzymes in microbes, thereby inhibiting their activities. Researchers believe that excess copper has the potential to disrupt cell function both inside cells and in the interstitial spaces between cells, probably acting on the outer envelope of cells.[26]

Currently, researchers believe that the most important antimicrobial mechanisms for copper are as follows:

  • Elevated copper levels inside a cell causes oxidative stress and the generation of hydrogen peroxide. Under these conditions, copper participates in the so-called Fenton-type reaction — a chemical reaction causing oxidative damage to cells.
  • Excess copper causes a decline in the membrane integrity of microbes, leading to leakage of specific essential cell nutrients, such as potassium and glutamate. This leads to desiccation and subsequent cell death.
  • While copper is needed for many protein functions, in an excess situation (as on a copper alloy surface), copper binds to proteins that do not require copper for their function. This "inappropriate" binding leads to loss-of-function of the protein, and/or breakdown of the protein into nonfunctional portions.

These potential mechanisms, as well as others, are the subject of continuing study by academic research laboratories around the world.

Antimicrobial efficacy of copper alloy touch surfaces

Copper alloy surfaces have intrinsic properties to destroy a wide range of microorganisms. In the interest of protecting public health, especially in healthcare environments with their susceptible patient populations, an abundance of peer-reviewed antimicrobial efficacy studies have been conducted in the past ten years regarding copper's efficacy to destroy E. coli O157:H7, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus, Clostridium difficile, influenza A virus, adenovirus, and fungi.[27] Stainless steel was also investigated because it is an important surface material in today's healthcare environments. The studies cited here, plus others directed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, resulted in the 2008 registration of 274 different copper alloys as certified antimicrobial materials that have public health benefits.

E. coli

E. coli O157:H7 is a potent, highly infectious, ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, UK) Hazard Group 3 foodborne and waterborne pathogen. The bacterium produces potent toxins that cause diarrhea, severe aches, and nausea in infected persons. Symptoms of severe infections include hemolytic colitis (bloody diarrhea), hemolytic uremic syndrome (kidney disease), and death. E. coli O157:H7 has become a serious public health threat because of its increased incidence and because children up to 14 years of age, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at risk of incurring the most severe symptoms.

Efficacy on copper surfaces

Recent studies have shown that copper alloy surfaces kill E. coli O157:H7.[24][28] More than 99.9% of E. coli microbes are killed after just 1–2 hours on copper. On stainless steel surfaces, the microbes can survive for weeks.

Results of E. coli O157:H7 destruction on an alloy containing 99.9% copper (C11000) demonstrate that this pathogen is rapidly and almost completely killed (more than 99.9% kill rate) within ninety minutes at room temperature (20 °C).[24] At chill temperatures (4 °C), more than 99.9% of E. coli O157:H7 are killed within 270 minutes. E. coli O157:H7 destruction on several copper alloys containing 99%–100% copper (including C10200, C11000, C18080, and C19700) at room temperature begins within minutes.[28] At chilled temperatures, the inactivation process takes about an hour longer. No significant reduction in the amount of viable E. coli O157:H7 occurs on stainless steel after 270 minutes.

Studies have been conducted to examine the E. coli O157:H7 bactericidal efficacies on 25 different copper alloys to identify those alloys that provide the best combination of antimicrobial activity, corrosion/oxidation resistance, and fabrication properties.[28][29][30] Copper's antibacterial effect was found to be intrinsic in all of the copper alloys tested. As in previous studies,[31][32] no antibacterial properties were observed on stainless steel (UNS S30400). Also, in confirmation with earlier studies,[31][32] the rate of drop-off of E. coli O157:H7 on the copper alloys is faster at room temperature than at chill temperature.

For the most part, the bacterial kill rate of copper alloys increased with increasing copper content of the alloy.[29][30] This is further evidence of copper's intrinsic antibacterial properties.

Efficacy on brass, bronze, copper-nickel alloys

Brasses, which were frequently used for doorknobs and push plates in decades past, also demonstrate bactericidal efficacies, but within a somewhat longer time frame than pure copper.[28] All nine brasses tested were almost completely bactericidal (more than 99.9% kill rate) at 20 °C within 60–270 minutes. Many brasses were almost completely bactericidal at 4 °C within 180–360 minutes.

The rate of total microbial death on four bronzes varied from within 50–270 minutes at 20 °C, and from 180 to 270 minutes at 4 °C.

The kill rate of E. coli O157 on copper-nickel alloys increased with increasing copper content. Zero bacterial counts at room temperature were achieved after 105–360 minutes for five of the six alloys. Despite not achieving a complete kill, alloy C71500 achieved a 4-log drop within the six-hour test, representing a 99.99% reduction in the number of live organisms.

Efficacy on stainless steel

Unlike copper alloys, stainless steel (S30400) does not exhibit any degree of bactericidal properties against E. coli O157:H7.[28] This material, which is one of the most common touch surface materials in the healthcare industry, allows toxic E. coli O157:H7 to remain viable for weeks. Near-zero bacterial counts are not observed even after 28 days of investigation. Epifluorescence photographs have demonstrated that E. coli O157:H7 is almost completely killed on copper alloy C10200 after just 90 minutes at 20 °C; whereas a substantial number of pathogens remain on stainless steel S30400.[25]

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a dangerous bacteria strain because it is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics.[33][34] Recent strains of the bacteria, EMRSA-15 and EMRSA-16, are highly transmissible and durable. This is of extreme importance to those concerned with reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired MRSA infections.

In 2008, after evaluating a wide body of research mandated specifically by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), registration approvals were granted by EPA in 2008 granting that copper alloys kill more than 99.9% of MRSA within two hours.

Subsequent research conducted at the University of Southampton (UK) compared the antimicrobial efficacies of copper and several non-copper proprietary coating products to kill MRSA.[35][36] At 20 °C, the drop-off in MRSA organisms on copper alloy C11000 is dramatic and almost complete (more than 99.9% kill rate) within 75 minutes. However, neither a triclosan-based product nor two silver-based antimicrobial treatments (Ag-A and Ag-B) exhibited any meaningful efficacy against MRSA. Stainless steel S30400 did not exhibit any antimicrobial efficacy.

In 2004, the University of Southampton research team was the first to clearly demonstrate that copper inhibits MRSA.[37] On copper alloys — C19700 (99% copper), C24000 (80% copper), and C77000 (55% copper) — significant reductions in viability were achieved at room temperatures after 1.5 hours, 3.0 hours, and 4.5 hours, respectively. Faster antimicrobial efficacies were associated with higher copper alloy content. Stainless steel did not exhibit any bactericidal benefits.

Leyland Nigel S., Podporska-Carroll Joanna, Browne John, Hinder Steven J., Quilty Brid, Pillai Suresh C. (2016). "Highly Efficient F, Cu doped TiO2 anti-bacterial visible light active photocatalytic coatings to combat hospital-acquired infections". Scientific Reports. 6. Bibcode:2016NatSR...624770L. doi:10.1038/srep24770. PMC 4838873. PMID 27098010.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile, an anaerobic bacterium, is a major cause of potentially life-threatening disease, including nosocomial diarrheal infections, especially in developed countries.[38] C. difficile endospores can survive for up to five months on surfaces.[39] The pathogen is frequently transmitted by the hands of healthcare workers in hospital environments. C. difficile is currently a leading hospital-acquired infection in the UK,[40] and rivals MRSA as the most common organism to cause hospital acquired infections in the U.S.[41] It is responsible for a series of intestinal health complications, often referred to collectively as Clostridium difficile Associated Disease (CDAD).

The antimicrobial efficacy of various copper alloys against Clostridium difficile was recently evaluated.[42] The viability of C. difficile spores and vegetative cells were studied on copper alloys C11000 (99.9% copper), C51000 (95% copper), C70600 (90% copper), C26000 (70% copper), and C75200 (65% copper). Stainless steel (S30400) was used as the experimental control. The copper alloys significantly reduced the viability of both C. difficile spores and vegetative cells. On C75200, near total kill was observed after one hour (however, at six hours total C. difficile increased, and decreased slower afterward). On C11000 and C51000, near total kill was observed after three hours, then total kill in 24 hours on C11000 and 48 hours on C51000. On C70600, near total kill was observed after five hours. On C26000, near total kill was achieved after 48 hours. On stainless steel, no reductions in viable organisms were observed after 72 hours (three days) of exposure and no significant reduction was observed within 168 hours (one week).

Influenza A

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is an infectious disease from a viral pathogen different from the one that produces the common cold. Symptoms of influenza, which are much more severe than the common cold, include fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness, and general discomfort. Influenza can cause pneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young children and the elderly.

After incubation for one hour on copper, active influenza A virus particles were reduced by 75%.[43][44] After six hours, the particles were reduced on copper by 99.999%. Influenza A virus was found to survive in large numbers on stainless steel.

Once surfaces are contaminated with virus particles, fingers can transfer particles to up to seven other clean surfaces.[45] Because of copper's ability to destroy influenza A virus particles, copper can help to prevent cross-contamination of this viral pathogen.

Adenovirus

Adenovirus is a group of viruses that infect the tissue lining membranes of the respiratory and urinary tracts, eyes, and intestines. Adenoviruses account for about 10% of acute respiratory infections in children. These viruses are a frequent cause of diarrhea.

In a recent study, 75% of adenovirus particles were inactivated on copper (C11000) within one hour. Within six hours, 99.999% of the adenovirus particles were inactivated. Within six hours, 50% of the infectious adenovirus particles survived on stainless steel.[44]

Fungi

The antifungal efficacy of copper was compared to aluminium on the following organisms that can cause human infections: Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.[46] An increased die-off of fungal spores was found on copper surfaces compared with aluminium. Aspergillus niger growth occurred on the aluminium coupons growth was inhibited on and around copper coupons.

See also

References

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  2. ↑ "Medical Uses of Copper in Antiquity". Copper Development Association Inc. June 2000.
  3. ↑ "A Brief History of The Health Support Uses of Copper"
  4. ↑ Magazine, Smithsonian; Morrison, Jim. "Copper's Virus-Killing Powers Were Known Even to the Ancients". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  5. ↑ Zaleski, Andrew, As hospitals look to prevent infections, a chorus of researchers make a case for copper surfaces, STAT, September 24, 2020
  6. ↑ Love, Shayla (2020-03-18). "Copper Destroys Viruses and Bacteria. Why Isn't It Everywhere?". Vice. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  7. ↑ Nägeli, Karl Wilhelm (1893), "Über oligodynamische Erscheinungen in lebenden Zellen", Neue Denkschriften der Allgemeinen Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für die Gesamte Naturwissenschaft, XXXIII (1)
  8. ↑ Dick, R. J.; Wray, J. A.; Johnston, H. N. (1973), "A Literature and Technology Search on the Bacteriostatic and Sanitizing Properties of Copper and Copper Alloy Surfaces", Phase 1 Final Report, INCRA Project No. 212, June 29, 1973, contracted to Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio
  9. ↑ Chang, S. M. and Tien, M. (1969), Effects of Heavy Metal Ions on the Growth of Microorganisms, Bulletin of the Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Vol. 16, pp. 29–39.
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  16. ↑ Kuwahara, June; Suzuki, Tadashi; Funakoshi, Kyoko; Sugiura, Yukio (1986). "Photosensitive DNA cleavage and phage inactivation by copper(II)-camptothecin". Biochemistry. 25 (6): 1216–21. doi:10.1021/bi00354a004. PMID 3008823.
  17. ↑ Vasudevachari, M; Antony, A (1982). "Inhibition of avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase and virus inactivation by metal complexes of isonicotinic acid hydrazide". Antiviral Research. 2 (5): 291–300. doi:10.1016/0166-3542(82)90052-3. PMID 6185090.
  18. ↑ Sterritt, RM; Lester, JN (1980). "Interactions of heavy metals with bacteria". The Science of the Total Environment. 14 (1): 5–17. doi:10.1016/0048-9697(80)90122-9. PMID 6988964.
  19. ↑ Samuni, A; Aronovitch, J; Godinger, D; Chevion, M; Czapski, G (1983). "On the cytotoxicity of vitamin C and metal ions. A site-specific Fenton mechanism". European Journal of Biochemistry. 137 (1–2): 119–24. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1983.tb07804.x. PMID 6317379.
  20. ↑ Samuni, A.; Chevion, M.; Czapski, G. (1984). "Roles of Copper and Superoxide Anion Radicals in the Radiation-Induced Inactivation of T7 Bacteriophage". Radiat. Res. 99 (3): 562–572. doi:10.2307/3576330. JSTOR 3576330. PMID 6473714.
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  24. 1 2 3 Michels, H. T.; Wilks, S. A.; Noyce, J. O.; Keevil, C. W. (2005), Copper Alloys for Human Infectious Disease Control Archived December 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Presented at Materials Science and Technology Conference, September 25–28, 2005, Pittsburgh, PA; Copper for the 21st Century Symposium
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  26. ↑ BioHealth Partnership Publication (2007): Lowering Infection Rates in Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities - The Role of Copper Alloys in Battling Infectious Organisms, Edition 1, March.
  27. ↑ "Copper Touch Surfaces". Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 Wilks, SA; Michels, H; Keevil, CW (2005). "The survival of Escherichia coli O157 on a range of metal surfaces". International Journal of Food Microbiology. 105 (3): 445–54. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2005.04.021. PMID 16253366.
  29. 1 2 Michels, H. T.; Wilks, S. A.; Keevil, C. W. 2004, "Effects of Copper Alloy Surfaces on the Viability of Bacterium, E. coli 0157:H7", The Second Global Congress Dedicated to Hygienic Coatings & Surface Conference Papers, Orlando, Florida, US, 26–28 January 2004, Paper 16, Paint Research Association, Middlesex, UK
  30. 1 2 Michels, H. T.; Wilks, S. A.; Keevil, C. W. (2003), The Antimicrobial Effects of Copper Alloy Surfaces on the Bacterium E. coli O157:H7, Proceedings of Copper 2003 - Cobre 2003, The 5th International Conference, Santiago, Chile, Vol. 1 - Plenary Lectures, Economics and Applications of Copper, pp. 439–450, The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, (presented in Santiago, Chile, November 30–December 3, 2003)
  31. 1 2 Keevil, C. W.; Walker, J. T.; and Maule, A. (2000), Copper Surfaces Inhibit Escherichia coli O157, Seminario Cobre y Salud, Nov. 20, 2000, CEPAL/Comision Chilena del Cobre/ICA, Santiago, Chile
  32. 1 2 Maule, A. and Keevil, C. W. (2000), Long-Term Survival of Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157 on Stainless Steel Work Surfaces and Inhibition on Copper and Brass, ASM-P-119
  33. ↑ Ug, A; Ceylan, O (2003). "Occurrence of Resistance to Antibiotics, Metals, and Plasmids in Clinical Strains of Staphylococcus spp". Archives of Medical Research. 34 (2): 130–6. doi:10.1016/S0188-4409(03)00006-7. PMID 12700009.
  34. ↑ Mulligan, ME; Murray-Leisure, KA; Ribner, BS; Standiford, HC; John, JF; Korvick, JA; Kauffman, CA; Yu, VL (1993). "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a consensus review of the microbiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology with implications for prevention and management". The American Journal of Medicine. 94 (3): 313–28. doi:10.1016/0002-9343(93)90063-U. PMID 8452155.
  35. ↑ Michels, H. T.; Noyce, J. O.; Keevil, C. W. (2009). "Effects of temperature and humidity on the efficacy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus challenged antimicrobial materials containing silver and copper" (PDF). Letters in Applied Microbiology. 49 (2): 191–5. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765X.2009.02637.x. PMC 2779462. PMID 19413757. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
  36. ↑ Keevil, C. W.; Noyce, J. O. (2007), Antimicrobial Efficacies of Copper, Stainless Steel, Microban, BioCote and AgIon with MRSA at 20 °C, unpublished data
  37. ↑ Noyce, J. O. and Keevil, C. W. (2004), The Antimicrobial Effects of Copper and Copper-Based Alloys on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Copper Development Association Poster Q-193 from Proceedings of the Annual General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, 24–27 May 2004, New Orleans; presented at the American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana May 24
  38. ↑ Dumford Dm, 3rd; Nerandzic, MM; Eckstein, BC; Donskey, CJ (2009). "What is on that keyboard? Detecting hidden environmental reservoirs of Clostridium difficile during an outbreak associated with North American pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type 1 strains". American Journal of Infection Control. 37 (1): 15–9. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2008.07.009. PMID 19171247.
  39. ↑ Kim, KH; Fekety, R; Batts, DH; Brown, D; Cudmore, M; Silva Jr, J; Waters, D (1981). "Isolation of Clostridium difficile from the environment and contacts of patients with antibiotic-associated colitis". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 143 (1): 42–50. doi:10.1093/infdis/143.1.42. PMID 7217711.
  40. ↑ Health Protection Agency, Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections Report 2007
  41. ↑ McDonald, LC; Owings, M; Jernigan, DB (2006). "Clostridium difficile infection in patients discharged from US short-stay hospitals, 1996–2003". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 12 (3): 409–15. doi:10.3201/eid1205.051064. PMC 3291455. PMID 16704777.
  42. ↑ Weaver, L; Michels, HT; Keevil, CW (2008). "Survival of Clostridium difficile on copper and steel: futuristic options for hospital hygiene". The Journal of Hospital Infection. 68 (2): 145–51. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2007.11.011. PMID 18207284.
  43. ↑ Noyce, JO; Michels, H; Keevil, CW (2007). "Inactivation of Influenza A Virus on Copper versus Stainless Steel Surfaces". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 73 (8): 2748–50. doi:10.1128/AEM.01139-06. PMC 1855605. PMID 17259354.
  44. 1 2 "Viruses Influenza A". Archived from the original on 2009-10-18. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  45. ↑ Barker, J; Vipond, IB; Bloomfield, SF (2004). "Effects of cleaning and disinfection in reducing the spread of Norovirus contamination via environmental surfaces". The Journal of Hospital Infection. 58 (1): 42–9. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2004.04.021. PMID 15350713.
  46. ↑ Weaver, L.; Michels, H. T.; Keevil, C. W. (2010). "Potential for preventing spread of fungi in air-conditioning systems constructed using copper instead of aluminium". Letters in Applied Microbiology. 50 (1): 18–23. doi:10.1111/j.1472-765X.2009.02753.x. PMID 19943884.
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