title: Antibacterial activity of multilayer silver-copper surface films on catheter material.
abstract: The antimicrobial activity of Ag, Cu, and layered Ag-Cu surface films, sputter-coated onto several types of catheter material, against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. When 20 microL of a suspension of S. epidermidis or S. aureus (2.68 x 10(6) colony-forming units/mL) was applied onto Ag-Cu- or Cu-coated butyl rubber, bacterial numbers were greatly reduced within 10 h, and eliminated within 24 h. In contrast, antibacterial activity was significantly less on uncoated or Ag-coated surfaces. Ag-Cu- or Cu-coated silicon rubber, polyvinylchloride, and teflon were even more effective than Ag-Cu- or Cu-coated butyl rubber. Ag-Cu layered surface films also showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation. Multiple metal surface film combinations show great promise in lowering the incidence of device-associated nosocomial infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sayer
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper