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CourtesyPutting copper into action: copper-impregnated products with potent biocidal activities
SPECIFIC AIMS
We hypothesized that introducing copper into many different types of products would provide them with biocidal qualities. Here we demonstrate the broad-spectrum anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-mite activities of fibers and polyester products permanently impregnated with copper and discuss the possible effect of these products on central public health concerns.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
1. Bactericidal, anti-fungal, and acaricidal activity of
fabrics containing copper-treated fibers
The anti-bacterial effectiveness of untreated cotton fibers
(referred to as control fabrics) and fabrics containing 20%
(w/w) fibers impregnated with copper and 80% non-copper-treated
cotton fibers (referred to as copper fabrics) on Staphylococcus
aureus and Escherichia coli are shown in
. Similar results were obtained with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) bacteriaFabrics subjected to drastic washing conditions (35 industrial washings at 85°C) also reduced by >2 logs the viability of S. aureus within 2 h of bacteria exposure to the copper fabric
Copper fabric reduced the number of viable fungi (Candida albicans) in a time-dependent manner
. Complete inhibition was noted within 60 min after fungi were exposed to the fabric. In contrast, the control fabric did not affect the fungus’s viability.Based on this result, socks, containing 10% (w/w) copper-coated fibers to uncoated fibers, were given to 50 individuals suffering from tinea pedis (athlete’s foot). All 50 individuals reported that within 2–6 days of using the socks, the blistering and fissures characteristic of this fungal infection disappeared and the skin returned to normal. None of the 50 individuals reported adverse effects after using the copper-impregnated socks.
The effect of two fabrics, one containing 20% copper fibers and one containing 100% copper fibers (w/w), were tested for acaricidal activity (Fig. 1c
). While all mites exposed to control fabrics were alive
after 12 days, >60% and 100% of mites exposed to the 100%
copper fabric were dead after 1 and 5 days, respectively.
Approximately 50% of the mites exposed to the 20% copper
fabrics died within 12 days of exposure to the fabrics. After
47 days of culture, 86% and 67% of the mites in the absence of any fabric and in the control fabric containers were alive
whereas all mites exposed to the 20% copper fabric were dead.
2. Anti-viral activity of latex and polyester impregnated
with copper
Copper ions have been reported to inactivate HIV-1. We investigated
whether our copper-impregnated latex would reduce HIV-1
infectivity. Indeed, HIV-1 infectivity was reduced in a
dose-dependent manner when HIV-1 was exposed to latex gloves
containing increasing concentrations of copper
, filtration of medium containing Saquinavir-resistant HIV-1 through syringes containing copper polyester fibers resulted in >5 log reduction of the viral infectious titers. The filters deactivated all the T-tropic and M-tropic isolates, laboratory and clinical isolates, and nucleoside, non-nucleoside, and protease-resistant viral isolates tested. Similar results were obtained when West Nile virus (WNV) was filtered 3. Test for skin sensitizationHIV-1 is transmitted through body fluids (e.g., blood and mother’s milk). Accordingly, syringes filled with polyester fibers impregnated with copper were prepared to serve as "filters." As depicted for a representative experiment in
To determine whether extracts of the copper-impregnated fabrics have skin sensitizing properties, a Guinea Pig Maximization Test and a Rabbit Skin Irritation Test were conducted. None of the 10 guinea pigs or 3 rabbits exposed to extracts of copper fabrics showed allergic skin reactions or skin irritation as compared with intraspecific application of the extraction vehicle and when compared with the animals of the control group. None of the animals exhibited any other toxic effects or clinical signs resulting from the treatment with the extracts of the copper-impregnated fabrics.
CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE
An inexpensive
platform
technology was developed that binds
copper to textile fibers from which woven and unwoven fabrics
can be produced.Copper may be integrated into latex and other
polymeric products during manufacture. As demonstrated here,
these copper-impregnated products possess broad-spectrum
anti-microbial properties. This technology, for example
Copper is considered safe to humans, as demonstrated by the widespread and prolonged use by women of copper intrauterine devices (IUDs). Very low risk of adverse skin reactions is associated with copper. Animal testing described above has demonstrated that copper fabrics do not possess skin-sensitizing properties. None of the 50 individuals who used socks containing copper-impregnated fibers reported any negative effects caused by the socks.
in contrast to the low sensitivity of human tissue to copper, microorganisms are extremely susceptible to copper. Toxicity occurs through the displacement of essential metals from their native binding sites, from interference with oxidative phosphorylation and osmotic balance, and from alterations in the conformational structure of nucleic acids, membranes and proteins.
Introducing copper into fabrics, latex, or other polymers may have significant ramifications. One example is the reduction of nosocomial infections in hospitals. Healthcare-associated (nosocomial) infection ranks fourth among causes of death in the U.S., behind heart disease, cancer, and stroke. It has been demonstrated that sheets in direct contact with a patient’s skin and his bacterial flora are an important source of infection. Therefore, use of self-sterilizing pajamas, sheets, pillow covers, and robes in a hospital setting may reduce nosocomial infections. Use of gloves with anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties by hospital personnel may also aid in reducing transmission of infectious microbes and viruses and provide increased protection to hospital personnel.
Another possible use of copper fabrics is related to allergies and asthma. It is estimated that 15% of the general population suffer from allergic disorders, of which allergic rhinitis is the most common. Dust mites are an important source of allergen for perennial rhinitis and asthmatic attacks. Thus, elimination of house dust mites in mattresses, quilts, carpets, and pillows would improve the quality of life of those suffering from dust mite-related allergies.
Another potential use of copper-impregnated fabrics is related
to foot ulcerations, a common complication of type 2 diabetes
that afflicts
130 million
individuals worldwide. In many cases these ulcerations can
become severe due to cuts/bruises that heal slowly and become
infected. An infection that does not heal can cause the
tissue to die (gangrene). Use of socks containing copper-impregnated fibers by diabetics may significantly reduce
the risk of foot infection.
Use of copper-impregnated socks by the wider population may be beneficial in more benign conditions. About 15–20% of the population suffers from tinea pedis. This fungal infection can cause discomfort, may be resistant to treatment, and may spread to other parts of the body or to other people. We found that copper-impregnated socks may be useful in preventing and treating tinea pedis.
An important potential application of copper-impregnated materials is the reduction of bacterial and viral transmission during transfusion of blood or blood-related products. A growing number of viral, bacterial, and protozoa pathogens have been identified in blood products, and new pathogens are regularly identified as being present. In parts of the world where screening tests are too expensive to be performed regularly, a cheap, rapid virus inactivation filter would be extremely helpful. Accordingly, a filter that can inactivate a broad spectrum of viruses in blood products would be very valuable.
Preliminary results showing neutralization of HIV-1 and WNV infectivity when viruses were passed through our copper containing syringes indicate the possibility of producing a generic anti-viral filter. However, it must first be established that these filters do not damage filtered plasma and other blood components and do not harm individuals infused with these blood products. We are currently conducting these studies.
Transmission of HIV during lactation accounts for one-third to one-half of all HIV mother-infant transmissions. Breast milk may be passed through a copper fiber-containing filter, reducing HIV infectivity. If there is no degradation of the milk’s essential nutrients, the filtered milk may be fed to infants, thereby reducing the risk of HIV transmission. Admittedly, implementing such measures may be difficult because of sociological factors existing in developing countries. However, HIV-1, as well as other viruses, will be with us for many years and methods to reduce their impact must be developed.
In conclusion, our study demonstrates potential uses of copper in new applications that address medical concerns of the greatest importance. Implementation of even a few of the possible applications of this novel technology may have a major effect on our lives.