SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
[Copper] does this by leaching electrons from bacteria, which causes a charge to build up inside the cell which ultimately leads to free radical formation and cell death. Many studies have now shows that the microbial burden on copper surfaces is reduced by 80% compared to traditional surfaces. When used on frequently touched surfaces in hospitals, this can significantly reduce the amount of bacteria hanging around. Another study showed that the total reduction in bacteria from a copper alloy surface was 99.9% (compared to baseline, not to control surfaces). In controlled studies, copper surfaces work as advertised – they kill bacteria and viruses.
But does this actually reduce the incidence of hospital acquired infections (HAIs, also called health care associated infections)? The answer is yes. A 2017 systematic review of studies found that introducing copper surface in the hospital reduced HAIs by 25%.
[...] This will require a significant investment by hospitals – replacing beds, serving trays, tables, rails, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces. [...] The estimated cost of the most common HAIs is around $10 billion per year in the US. This cost is often absorbed by the hospital. This is because reimbursement for hospital stays is often determined by DRGs – diagnostic related groups. Hospitals are paid by insurance companies based upon the patient's diagnosis. If a patient is admitted for pneumonia, the hospital gets paid a fixed amount which represents the average cost of treating pneumonia. If the patient does well and is discharged quickly, the hospital makes money. If they do not do well and have complications and a prolonged stay, the hospital loses money. This provides a good financial incentive for hospitals to provide efficient and effective care, and minimize complications.
Previously:
(2020-07-19) Laser-Textured Metal Surfaces Kill Bacteria Faster
(Score: 2) by sonamchauhan on Friday July 31 2020, @11:59PM (2 children)
Copper promotes cancer. Wonder if this approach will increase cancer risk.
Multiple studies that reduced copper levels in the body with the drug tetrathiomolybdate (TM, formula: '(NH4)2MoS4'), have seen success combating cancer (see studies below).
In a household setting, most water pipes in Western countries are made of copper. Copper leaches into piped water (especially hot water). So it's important to
let tap water run a few seconds before drinking it (especially first thing in the morning, run it for 30 seconds -- this also flushes lead leaching from plumbing). Second, never ever drink water that's come from a hot water tap -- remember, that water contains copper, and also dissolved metal from the sacrificial anode in your water heater.
The studies are below with some comments
--Studies on Treating Cancer by Reducing Copper Levels--
[2000 Paper] Treatment of Metastatic Cancer with Tetrathiomolybdate...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7037088/ [nih.gov]
Excerpt: "TM-induced mild copper deficiency achieved stable disease in five of six patients who were copper deficient at the target range for at least 90 days."
[2004 Paper] Copper deficiency as an anti-cancer strategy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15163301/ [nih.gov]
Excerpt: "The copper chelator tetrathiomolybdate (TM), which quickly and effectively depletes copper stores, is under investigation as an anti-angiogenic agent "
[2015 Article] Targeting copper to treat breast cancer
https://meyercancer.weill.cornell.edu/news/2015-07-10/targeting-copper-treat-breast-cancer [cornell.edu]
This 2015 article makes the point tetrathiomolybdate (TM) therapy is best deployed in combination with surgery and other therapies:
"copper depletion would be more effective against the microtumors that seed metastases, which differ biologically from the primary tumor"
TM's role is to prevent cancer from recurring and spreading.
Interestingly, the company that holds the rights to treat cancer with TM is reluctant to use the drug. The company has gained 'orphan drug' status for TM. Once an orphan drug gains marketing authorisation, it secures a statutory monopoly position which precludes the authorisation of other treatments for 10 years. The drug is fairly expensive, when obtained through this company.
However the drug itself is easy to synthesise, and widely used to treat copper poisoning in animals like sheep.
[2020] Current Biomedical Use of Copper Chelation Therap
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7037088/ [nih.gov]
"Copper chelating therapy has been proved to have antitumor effects mainly via disruption of angiogenesis and impaired migration but further randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm the benefit observed in preclinical models. "
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Saturday August 01 2020, @03:01AM
However... you need a small amount of copper so you can absorb iron from the gut. I recall a study that found the switch from copper to plastic plumbing was associated with a concurrent spate of iron deficiency, because of the lack of copper intake. (Multivitamins now typically contain copper to replace that.)
Likely as with most required minerals, the dose makes the poison. (Similarly, you can't live without iron, yet in excess it's also quite poisonous.)
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 2) by sjames on Saturday August 01 2020, @07:02PM
I think the best solution in the hospital setting is avoid eating the trays and door handles.
More seriously, copper is an essential mineral. It does not (as far as we know) cause cancer. Those studies show that if you have cancer, the benefits of causing a copper deficiency may outweigh the harm. If you don't have cancer, the deficiency is all harm and no benefit. Kinda like getting chemo when you don't have cancer.