Rapid reduction of Staphylococcus aureus populations on stainless steel surfaces by zeolite ceramic coatings containing silver and zinc ions.

This study demonstrates the anti-Staphylococcus aureus properties of stainless steel surfaces coated with zeolite containing 2.5% silver and 14% zinc ions. Stainless steel panels with and without the heavy-metal-containing coatings were inoculated with S. aureus and incubated at room temperature. Survival of S. aureus was significantly reduced by the silver/zinc coatings within 1 h. Many hospital surfaces could be constructed of stainless steel with silver/zinc zeolite coatings. Such measures may reduce rates of hospital-acquired S. aureus infection. Copyright 2002 The Hospital Infection Society