Killing of bacteria by copper surfaces involves dissolved copper.
Bacteria are rapidly killed on copper surfaces. However, the mechanism of this process remains unclear. Using Enterococcus hirae, the effect of inactivation of copper homeostatic genes and of medium compositions on survival and copper dissolution was tested. The results support a role for dissolved copper ions in killing.
Molteni
Cristina
C
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Visceral Research, University of Berne, Murtenstrasse 35, 3010 Berne, Switzerland.
Abicht
Helge K
HK
Solioz
Marc
M
D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000633:toxicity; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*
D002413:Cations, Divalent; D003470:Culture Media; D003300:Copper