Xinhua News: According to the Spanish "Digital News" reported on September 9, "super bacteria" although resistant to almost all antibiotics, but the latest study found that copper can prevent its spread. The following is the content of the report:
A new study from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom shows that copper can prevent the spread of a new type of bacteria containing “NDM-1â€. This bacterium is named "super bacteria" because it is resistant to almost all antibiotics and has spread to Europe.
If bacteria carry genes that promote the secretion of "NDM-1," then it will develop resistance to all antibiotics. "NDM-1" has now caused bacterial infections in seven countries, and researchers have discovered the enzyme in enterobacteria such as E. coli.
This study shows that copper has antibacterial properties against many bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile and E. coli.
The study also included clinical trials at a hospital in Birmingham, England. In the experiment, the researchers used a copper contact surface to replace the common contact surface. As a result, it was found that copper can reduce bacterial contamination of the contact area by 90% to 100%.
Bill Kivel, director of the Department of Environmental Health at the University of Southampton, said that copper will play an important role in controlling the spread of “NDM-lâ€. He said: "The gene for this enzyme enters human cells through a DNA carrier, and this vector will fail when it meets the copper contact surface."
In this case, the "NDM-l" drug resistance will not be transmitted to other bacteria, thereby reducing the threat of such new pathogens.
