title: Use of copper alloy for preventing transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in the dermatology ward.
abstract: Metallic copper has been shown significantly to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination of the ambient surroundings of the beds of MRSA-carrying patients in dermatology wards. The aim of this study was to determine whether a bed sheet made of copper-coated film will reduce the spread of MRSA contamination in the environment of a heavily-colonized patient. The bacterial count was highest on the bed sheet. MRSA cell counts on the surface of the non-film-coated control sheet were high (6,600-11,000 colony forming units (cfu)), but those on the copper film were considerably lower (20-130 cfu). Use of metallic copper on the bed sheets of patients who are likely to be a source of MRSA contamination may help to prevent the spread of MRSA contamination in hospital wards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kitasato University 1-15-1 Kitasato, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. dermananako@ad.cyberhome.ne.jp
authors.forename: Nanako
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Niiyama
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasahara
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mase
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Kensei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katsuoka
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D003300:Copper; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003880:Dermatology; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003300:Copper