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HOME > J. Microbiol > Volume 50(4); 2012 > Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Copper as an Antimicrobial Agent against Opportunistic Pathogenic and Multidrug Resistant Enterobacter Bacteria
Wen-Xiao Tian 1, Shi Yu 1, Muhammad Ibrahim 1,2, Abdul Wareth Almonaofy 1, Liu He 1, Qiu Hui 1, Zhu Bo 1, Bin Li 1, Guan-lin Xie 1
Journal of Microbiology 2012;50(4):586-593.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-012-2067-8
Published online: July 21, 2012
1State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, P. R. China, 2Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Sahiwal Pakistan
Corresponding author:  Guan-lin Xie , Tel: +86-0571-86971412, 
Received: 7 February 2012   • Accepted: 26 April 2012
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Abstract

Infections by Enterobacter species are common and are multidrug resistant. The use of bactericidal surface materials such as copper has lately gained attention as an effective antimicrobial agent due to its deadly effects on bacteria, yeast, and viruses. The aim of the current study was to assess the antibacterial activity of copper surfaces against Enterobacter species. The antibacterial activity of copper surfaces was tested by overlying 5×106 CFU/ml suspensions of representative Enterobacter strains and comparing bacterial survival counts on copper surfaces at room temperature. Iron, stainless steel, and polyvinylchloride (PVC) were used as controls. The mechanisms responsible for bacterial killing on copper surfaces were investigated by a mutagenicity assay of the D-cycloserin (cyclA gene), single cell gel electrophoresis, a staining technique, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Copper yielded a significant decrease in the viable bacterial counts at 2 h exposure and a highly significant decrease at 4 h. Loss of cell integrity and a significantly higher influx of copper into bacterial cells exposed to copper surfaces, as compared to those exposed to the controls, were documented. There was no increase in mutation rate and DNA damage indicating that copper contributes to bacterial killing by adversely affecting cellular structure without directly targeting the genomic DNA. These findings suggest that copper’s antibacterial activity against Enterobacter species could be utilized in health care facilities and in food processing plants to reduce the bioburden, which would increase protection for susceptible members of the community.

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    Copper as an Antimicrobial Agent against Opportunistic Pathogenic and Multidrug Resistant Enterobacter Bacteria
    J. Microbiol. 2012;50(4):586-593.   Published online July 21, 2012
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-012-2067-8
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