Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 7.1 An overview of the options for antimicrobial hard surfaces in hospitals
Candidate
Application
Mode of action
Pros
Cons
Metals
Copper
Manufactured in
[
31
]/
retrofitted
[
70
,
124
]/
liquid
disinfectant
[
68
]
Redox activity of copper resulting in
reactive oxygen species [
57
]
Rapidly microbicidal; [
125
]
large evidence-base; [
57
]
evidence of reduced
acquisition [
31
]
Sporicidal activity equivocal;
[
60
] cost, acceptability
and durability may be
questionable [
53
]
Silver
Manufactured in
[
77
]/liquid
disinfectant
[
97
]
Microbes accumulate silver until
toxicity threshold exceeded [
52
].
Broadly microbicidal [
55
,
81
]
? sporicidal; tolerance
development; relies on
leaching so surface loses
efficacy over time [
55
,
81
]
Chemicals
Organosilane
Periodic
application
[
72
,
103
]
Microscopic physical damage
to microbe through direct
contact [
72
]
Easy to apply [
72
,
103
]
Limited microbicidal activity;
questionable “real-world”
efficacy [
72
,
103
]
Light-activated (e.g. titanium
dioxide or photosensitisers)
Manufactured
in/periodic
application
[
75
,
109
]
Microbicidal reactive oxygen
species generated when
irradiated with light of a suitable
wavelength [
75
,
109
]
Broadly microbicidal; can be
activated by natural light
[
75
,
109
]
? sporicidal; requires light
source for photoactivation
(some require UV light); may
lose activity over time [
75
,
109
]
Quaternary ammonium
compound based agents
with residual activity
Liquid
disinfectant
[
105
]
Disruption of cell membrane [
105
]
Easy to apply, well-adopted
[
105
]
Limited microbicidal activity
(formulation dependent);
limited evidence for residual
activity; environmental
toxicity [
105
]
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