RESUMO
Background: The antimicrobial activity of copper (Cu+2) is recognized and used as an antimicrobial agent. Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of copper against microorganisms obtained from chronic cutaneous wound infections. Material and Methods: Five chemical products that contained copper particles in their composition were tested (zeolite, silica, acetate, nitrate and nanoparticle of copper). The antimicrobial activity against antibiotic resistant strains usually isolated from chronic cutaneous wound infections was determined for two of the products with better performance in copper release. Results: The minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations of copper acetate and nitrate were similar, fluctuating between 400-2,000 µg/ml. Conclusions: The studied copper salts show great potential to be used to control both gram positive and gram negative, antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated from wound infections.