Abstract
Copper has potent biocidal properties. Copper ions, either alone or in copper complexes, have been used for centuries to disinfect liquids, solids and human tissue. This manuscript reviews the biocidal mechanisms of copper and the current usages of copper and copper compounds as antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agents, with emphasis on novel health related applications. These applications include the reduction of transmission of health-associated (nosocomial) pathogens, foodborne diseases, and dust mites loads and treatment of fungal foot infections and wounds. Possible future applications include filtration devices capable of deactivating viruses in solutions, such as contaminated blood products and breastmilk.
Keywords: Copper, biocide, fungicide, antiviral, acaricidal, nosocomial infections, wound healing
Current Chemical Biology
Title: Copper, An Ancient Remedy Returning to Fight Microbial, Fungal and Viral Infections
Volume: 3 Issue: 3
Author(s): Gadi Borkow and Jeffrey Gabbay
Affiliation:
Keywords: Copper, biocide, fungicide, antiviral, acaricidal, nosocomial infections, wound healing
Abstract: Copper has potent biocidal properties. Copper ions, either alone or in copper complexes, have been used for centuries to disinfect liquids, solids and human tissue. This manuscript reviews the biocidal mechanisms of copper and the current usages of copper and copper compounds as antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral agents, with emphasis on novel health related applications. These applications include the reduction of transmission of health-associated (nosocomial) pathogens, foodborne diseases, and dust mites loads and treatment of fungal foot infections and wounds. Possible future applications include filtration devices capable of deactivating viruses in solutions, such as contaminated blood products and breastmilk.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Borkow Gadi and Gabbay Jeffrey, Copper, An Ancient Remedy Returning to Fight Microbial, Fungal and Viral Infections, Current Chemical Biology 2009; 3 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2212796810903030272
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2212796810903030272 |
Print ISSN 2212-7968 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1872-3136 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Structure Function Analysis of West Nile Virus RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase: Molecular Model and Implications for Drug Design
Medicinal Chemistry Parvovirus B19 (B19V) Infection and Pregnancy
Current Pediatric Reviews Update On Emerging Antivirals For The Management Of Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: A Patenting Perspective
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Tau as a Therapeutic Target for Alzheimers Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Impact of the CD40-CD40L Dyad in Alzheimers Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Neonatal Immune System: General Concepts and Clinical Correlations
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Antiproliferative and Antifungal Activities of 1,3-diarylpropane-1,3-diones Commonly used as Sunscreen Agents
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Anti-Amyloid Treatments in Alzheimers Disease
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Clinical Signs, Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections in Infants
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Arboviral Encephalitis and RNAi Treatment
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Biotechnological Approaches for Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Foods
Current Biotechnology Anti-Viral Agents in Neurodegenerative Disorders: New Paradigm for Targeting Alzheimer’s Disease
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Novel Synthetic Compounds as Potential Anticryptococcal Agents
Current Organic Synthesis Advances in Chagas Disease Chemotherapy
Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Oral Administration of Thioflavin T Prevents Beta Amyloid Plaque Formation in Double Transgenic AD Mice
Current Alzheimer Research Immunotherapy for Alzheimers Disease: Potential Problems and Possible Solutions
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Cerebrovascular Diseases in HIV-Infected Patients
Current HIV Research PFGE: Importance in Food Quality
Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition & Agriculture Human Parvovirus B19: An Infectious Agent with the Potential to Induce and Trigger Rheumatic Disease
Current Rheumatology Reviews Pulmonary Cryptococcocal Infection
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews