London, Mar 1 (ANI): Hospital beddings, curtains and even patients' pyjamas could become weapon against superbugs that kill thousands of people every year, according to researchers from Imperial College London.
They have found that an antimicrobial treatment, which could be incorporated into dozens of surfaces on the ward, can kill MRSA, thus reducing the risk of infection.
The study suggests that treating paint, light switches, medical equipment, staff uniforms and even pens and paper with Cliniweave can effectively eradicate the fatal superbugs.
Cliniweave is a technique invented by a British company to incorporate an antimicrobial compound into textiles.
The research team has found that within 60 minutes the treatment eliminated MRSA entirely.
The agent in Cliniweave destroys the enzymes in existing bacteria, and thwarts their multiplication.
"The results are very promising; a fabric that can kill bacteria on contact could be a really significant way to reduce levels of infections in hospitals," the Telegraph quoted Professor Mark Enright, professor of microbiology at Imperial College London as saying.
Hugh Pennington, Emeritus Professor of microbiology at Aberdeen University, hails the findings as "extremely significant".
"We know that MRSA is often found on surfaces in hospitals, and anything that we can do to reduce the number of places from where patients can become contaminated should be pursued when so many lives are at stake," he said.
"We want to carry out a trial using two intensive care units, where we can treat as many fabrics as possible - the staff uniforms, the bedding, the paint on the walls - to see how far we can reduce the risk of infection," he added.
The findings are published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. (ANI)
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