Copper Helps Control Deadly Prion Protein Infection

[keehah]

From the old site:
http://www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/innovations/2006/10/copper_helps_control_deadly_prion_protein_infectio n.html

October 2006
Copper Helps Control Deadly Prion Protein Infection
By William H. Dresher, Ph.D., P. E
Introduction | Background | Definitions | Relative Resistance | Role of Copper | Conclusions | References
Introduction
In a previous paper1, we discussed the role of copper in maintaining hospital cleanliness in the fight against hospital-acquired (or nosocomial) infections. In this paper we will discuss the use of a copper salt and hydrogen peroxide to sterilize surgical instruments against deadly prion protein contamination and transmission. Recent studies have shown that the combination of a copper salt with hydrogen peroxide is an effective way of destroying prion proteins on surgical instruments without running the danger of incapacitating the instrument. This is expected to be particularly useful in such instruments as endoscopes that cannot withstand the currently recommended procedure for prion inactivation.

U.S. EPA Approves Registration of Antimicrobial Copper Alloys
http://www.copper.org/about/pressreleases/2008/pr2008_March_25.html

March 25, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Copper, brass and bronze kill pathogens—including “superbug” MRSA—responsible for hospital- and community-acquired infections.

NEW YORK—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys, with public health claims. These public health claims acknowledge that copper, brass and bronze are capable of killing harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. Copper is the first solid surface material to receive this type of EPA registration, which is supported by extensive antimicrobial efficacy testing.

COPPER/SILVER ION GENERATOR (for swimming pool water) (http://www.poolandspasupplystore.com/servlet/the-174/COPPER-fdsh-SILVER-ION-GENERATOR-Model/Detail)

Lifeguard Purification Systems Inc. has adapted NASA technology to bring you the safest, healthiest, most cost effective way to purify your pool. Safe variable low voltage DC current is conducted into the chamber and electrolysis takes place. Positively charged ions of copper and silver are released. Copper is a natural toxin to algae and bacteria, and silver to bacteria and virus.

Chlorine oxidizes (burns up) organic compound like algae, viruses, and bacteria (your eyes, hair, skin, etc.). Copper/Silver ions, on the other hand, are toxins which poison and kill organic contaminants while having no effect on the human body. Cu/Ag ions are pH neutral and non-corrosive.

[matris ursus]

That's good to know. I figured it would be something simple like that.

[Goldhedge]

Prion Protein http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prion

[keehah]

Globe And Mail: Copper surfaces can kill hospital microbes, study finds (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/copper-surfaces-can-kill-hospital-microbes-study-finds/article1584109/)

Larger trial planned to see if use reduces patient infection rates

May. 28, 2010

Most people check into a hospital with the hope of getting better. However, many patients pick up serious infections during their stay in the health-care system. Despite fastidious cleaning and the routine use of gloves by staff, the number of hospital-acquired infections in Canada has swelled to an estimated 250,000 cases a year, resulting in 8,000 to 12,000 deaths. Other developed countries are facing a similar threat to patient safety.

But U.S. researchers now think they have hit upon a relatively easy way to overcome this serious problem – cover frequently-touched surfaces with copper. Bacteria and viruses can’t survive for very long on the metal, thereby reducing the risk of harmful bugs spreading from one person to another.

“It is a simple, elegant solution,” said Michael Schmidt, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Dr. Schmidt led a pilot study in which copper was used instead of stainless steel and plastic in a wide range of objects in the intensive-care units of three U.S. hospitals. Copper covered the bed rails, tray tables, call buttons, IV poles and chair arms.

When the researchers took culture swabs from the copper surfaces, they found the level of microbes had “dropped well below what is considered to be a risk,” Dr. Schmidt said. “And it doesn’t need any intervention other than normal cleaning.” The findings were presented at a recent medical conference in Atlanta.

Previous lab studies have shown that copper and copper alloys, such as brass and bronze, kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria within two hours.

Scientist aren’t sure why copper has such powerful anti-microbial properties. But Dr. Schmidt suspects that copper’s killing power is related to the fact that the metal is a tremendous conductor of electricity. “What I think is probably happening is that microbes are literally short-circuiting,” he said, adding that bacteria would lose electrons if they remain in constant contact with copper.

He noted that some astute ancient civilizations used copper as a purifier. For instance, the Phoenicians stored water in copper pots to make it drinkable.

The research community’s interest in copper was rekindled about a decade ago, when a nursing study found fewer patient infections in hospital rooms with copper door handles. The copper industry has sponsored some of the initial research. But Dr. Schmidt’s latest study was funded by the U.S. military.

He is now planning to do a large clinical trial to determine whether reducing the number of microbes on hospital surfaces actually translates into fewer infections. “Hospital administrators are reluctant to make capital purchases [of copper equipment] unless we can demonstrate a clear-cut benefit to patients.”

There is, of course, a limit to what can be replaced with copper. But he sees no reason why a lot of commonly-used hospital equipment can’t be made partly of copper – including computer mice and keyboards.

[RoyalBeluga]

Could this be good for the POC?

[madhu]

The research community’s interest in copper was rekindled about a decade ago, when a nursing study found fewer patient infections in hospital rooms with copper door handles. The copper industry has sponsored some of the initial research. But Dr. Schmidt’s latest study was funded by the U.S. military.

He is now planning to do a large clinical trial to determine whether reducing the number of microbes on hospital surfaces actually translates into fewer infections. “Hospital administrators are reluctant to make capital purchases [of copper equipment] unless we can demonstrate a clear-cut benefit to patients

Hospital administrators are only interested in the bottomline and their yearly bonus checks. They could care less as to how many patients die of iatrogenic infections.
Worse still is the enron accounting that plague a lot of small hospitals. Hospital administrators and their accountant buddies can turn out profits and show losses as they seem fit. So why can they not spend money even when they are said to be "not for profit " institutions?