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Biocidal efficacy of copper alloys against pathogenic enterococci involves degradation of genomic and plasmid DNAs

Biocidal efficacy of copper alloys against pathogenic enterococci involves degradation of genomic and plasmid DNAs
Biocidal efficacy of copper alloys against pathogenic enterococci involves degradation of genomic and plasmid DNAs
The increasing incidence of nosocomial infections caused by glycopeptide-resistant enterococci is a global concern. Enterococcal species are also difficult to eradicate with existing cleaning regimens; they can survive for long periods on surfaces, thus contributing to cases of reinfection and spread of antibiotic-resistant strains. We have investigated the potential use of copper alloys as bactericidal surfaces. Clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were inoculated onto copper alloy and stainless steel surfaces. Samples were assessed for the presence of viable cells by conventional culture, detection of actively respiring cells, and assessment of cell membrane integrity. Both species survived for up to several weeks on stainless steel. However, no viable cells were detected on any alloys following exposure for 1 h at an inoculum concentration of ?104 CFU/cm2. Analysis of genomic and plasmid DNA from bacterial cells recovered from metal surfaces indicates substantial disintegration of the DNA following exposure to copper surfaces that is not evident in cells recovered from stainless steel. The DNA fragmentation is so extensive, and coupled with the rapid cell death which occurs on copper surfaces, that it suggests that mutation is less likely to occur. It is therefore highly unlikely that genetic information can be transferred to receptive organisms recontaminating the same area. A combination of effective cleaning regimens and contact surfaces containing copper could be useful not only to prevent the spread of viable pathogenic enterococci but also to mitigate against the occurrence of potential resistance to copper, biocides, or antibiotics and the spread of genetic determinants of resistance to other species
0099-2240
5390-5401
Warnes, S.L.
f724f4bf-86cf-4b7b-bf0a-69ba86e0185c
Gree, S.M.
d945cfd8-7ff5-4e42-a6ea-953c93e68a3c
Michels, H.T.
139d484d-fe23-4f66-a82a-8697413288df
Keevil, C.W.
cb7de0a7-ce33-4cfa-af52-07f99e5650eb
Warnes, S.L.
f724f4bf-86cf-4b7b-bf0a-69ba86e0185c
Gree, S.M.
d945cfd8-7ff5-4e42-a6ea-953c93e68a3c
Michels, H.T.
139d484d-fe23-4f66-a82a-8697413288df
Keevil, C.W.
cb7de0a7-ce33-4cfa-af52-07f99e5650eb

Warnes, S.L., Gree, S.M., Michels, H.T. and Keevil, C.W. (2010) Biocidal efficacy of copper alloys against pathogenic enterococci involves degradation of genomic and plasmid DNAs. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 76 (16), 5390-5401. (doi:10.1128/AEM.03050-09). (PMID:20581191)

Record type: Article

Abstract

The increasing incidence of nosocomial infections caused by glycopeptide-resistant enterococci is a global concern. Enterococcal species are also difficult to eradicate with existing cleaning regimens; they can survive for long periods on surfaces, thus contributing to cases of reinfection and spread of antibiotic-resistant strains. We have investigated the potential use of copper alloys as bactericidal surfaces. Clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were inoculated onto copper alloy and stainless steel surfaces. Samples were assessed for the presence of viable cells by conventional culture, detection of actively respiring cells, and assessment of cell membrane integrity. Both species survived for up to several weeks on stainless steel. However, no viable cells were detected on any alloys following exposure for 1 h at an inoculum concentration of ?104 CFU/cm2. Analysis of genomic and plasmid DNA from bacterial cells recovered from metal surfaces indicates substantial disintegration of the DNA following exposure to copper surfaces that is not evident in cells recovered from stainless steel. The DNA fragmentation is so extensive, and coupled with the rapid cell death which occurs on copper surfaces, that it suggests that mutation is less likely to occur. It is therefore highly unlikely that genetic information can be transferred to receptive organisms recontaminating the same area. A combination of effective cleaning regimens and contact surfaces containing copper could be useful not only to prevent the spread of viable pathogenic enterococci but also to mitigate against the occurrence of potential resistance to copper, biocides, or antibiotics and the spread of genetic determinants of resistance to other species

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: June 2010
Published date: August 2010
Organisations: Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Biological Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 209301
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/209301
ISSN: 0099-2240
PURE UUID: 4d458d6c-4744-41a4-a8fc-0efcbd6b0cf5
ORCID for C.W. Keevil: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1917-7706

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Date deposited: 27 Jan 2012 14:34
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:12

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Contributors

Author: S.L. Warnes
Author: S.M. Gree
Author: H.T. Michels
Author: C.W. Keevil ORCID iD

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