title: Antimicrobial activity of copper against organisms in aqueous solution: a case for copper-based water pipelines in hospitals?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An association exists between water of poor quality and health care-associated infections. Copper shows microbiocidal action on dry surfaces; it is necessary to evaluate its antimicrobial effect against organisms in aqueous solution.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of copper against common nosocomial pathogens in aqueous solution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Copper and polyvinyl chloride containers were used. Glass was used as control material. Fourteen organisms isolated from hospital-acquired infections, and 3 control strains were tested. Inocula were prepared by direct suspension of colonies in saline solution and water in each container tested. Bacterial counts in colony-forming units (CFU)/mL were determined at the beginning of the experiment; at 30 minutes; and at 1, 2, 24, and 48 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Organisms in glass and polyvinyl chloride remained viable until the end of the experiment. Organisms in copper showed a reduction from more than 100,000 CFU/mL to 0 CFU/mL within the first 2 hours of contact (F > 4.29, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Copper containers show microbiocidal action on organisms in aqueous solution. Copper may contribute to the quality of water for human use, particularly in hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Nutrition, University of Guanajuato, León, Guanajuato, Mexico.
authors.forename: Hilda I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Cervantes
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arreguín
authors.forename: Juan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mosqueda
authors.forename: Alejandro E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Macías
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D018508:Water Purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003300:Copper
keywords: Hospital construction; Water quality; Water supply