scholarly journals Photocatalytic techniques to prevent and combat healthcare associated infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 04046
Author(s):  
Răzvan Bucureşteanu ◽  
Roxana Apetrei ◽  
Monica Ioniţă ◽  
Ludmila-Otilia Cinteză ◽  
Lia-Mara Diţu ◽  
...  

An ever-increasing rate of morbidity and mortality caused by healthcare associated infections is reported annually. Air circulation mediates contact with microbial contaminated aerosols and represents a major risk of transmitting healthcare associated infections. We propose a revolutionary technique for the protection of interior surfaces based on a photocatalytic composition with doped TiO2 or ZnO type semiconductor metal oxides which exert antimicrobial effect. In principle, there is an activation of the photocatalytic coating with light from the normal lighting apparatus, which may incorporate one or more sources of photocatalytic excitation light. By studying the air circulation in the hospital, it is possible to design light fixtures with specific design of light distribution, in order to perform the disinfection of the air and surfaces and to amplify the antimicrobial effect. The disinfection process does not affect patients or healthcare professionals, it can be done in their presence and has a continuous, controllable effect. Photocatalytic paint in combination with a prototype luminaire with a precise spectrum light sources, light output and a light intensity distribution curve relative to the shape and dimensions of the rooms, shows that the proposed method may represent a successful alternative to classical methods of disinfection in hospitals. This technique can also be used in other areas of interest.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine A. Nkemngong ◽  
Gurpreet K. Chaggar ◽  
Xiaobao Li ◽  
Peter J. Teska ◽  
Haley F Oliver

Abstract Background: Pre-wetted disinfectant wipes are increasingly being used in healthcare facilities to help address the risk of healthcare associated infections (HAI). However, HAIs are still a major problem in the US with Clostridioides difficile being the most common cause, leading to approximately 12,800 deaths annually in the US. An underexplored risk when using disinfectant wipes is that they may cross-contaminate uncontaminated surfaces during the wiping process. The objective of this study was to determine the cross-contamination risk that pre-wetted disinfectant towelettes may pose when challenged with C. difficile spores. We hypothesized that although the tested disinfectant wipes had no sporicidal claims, they will reduce spore loads. We also hypothesized that hydrogen peroxide disinfectant towelettes would present a lower cross-contamination risk than quaternary ammonium products. Methods: We evaluated the risk of cross-contamination when disinfectant wipes are challenged with C. difficile ATCC 43598 spores on Formica surfaces. A disinfectant wipe was used to wipe a Formica sheet inoculated with C. difficile. After the wiping process, we determined log10 CFU on previously uncontaminated pre-determined distances from the inoculation point and on the used wipes. Results: We found that the disinfectant wipes transferred C. difficile spores from inoculated surfaces to previously uncontaminated surfaces. We also found that wipes physically removed C. difficile spores and that hydrogen peroxide disinfectants were more sporicidal than the quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Conclusion: Regardless of the product type, all disinfectant wipes had some sporicidal effect but transferred C. difficile spores from contaminated to otherwise previously uncontaminated surfaces. Disinfectant wipes retain C. difficile spores during and after the wiping process.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine A. Nkemngong ◽  
Gurpreet K. Chaggar ◽  
Xiaobao Li ◽  
Peter J. Teska ◽  
Haley F Oliver

Abstract Background: Pre-wetted disinfectant wipes are increasingly being used in healthcare facilities to help address the risk of healthcare associated infections (HAI). However, HAIs are still a major problem in the US with Clostridioides difficile being the most common cause, leading to approximately 12,800 deaths annually in the US. An underexplored risk when using disinfectant wipes is that they may cross-contaminate uncontaminated surfaces during the wiping process. The objective of this study was to determine the cross-contamination risk that pre-wetted disinfectant towelettes may pose when challenged with C. difficile spores. We hypothesized that although the tested disinfectant wipes had no sporicidal claims, they will reduce spore loads. We also hypothesized that hydrogen peroxide disinfectant towelettes would present a lower cross-contamination risk than quaternary ammonium products. Methods: We evaluated the risk of cross-contamination when disinfectant wipes are challenged with C. difficile ATCC 43598 spores on Formica surfaces. A disinfectant wipe was used to wipe a Formica sheet inoculated with C. difficile. After the wiping process, we determined log10 CFU on previously uncontaminated pre-determined distances from the inoculation point and on the used wipes. Results: We found that the disinfectant wipes transferred C. difficile spores from inoculated surfaces to previously uncontaminated surfaces. We also found that wipes physically removed C. difficile spores and that hydrogen peroxide disinfectants were more sporicidal than the quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Conclusion: Regardless of the product type, all disinfectant wipes had some sporicidal effect but transferred C. difficile spores from contaminated to otherwise previously uncontaminated surfaces. Disinfectant wipes retain C. difficile spores during and after the wiping process.


Author(s):  
Carine A. Nkemngong ◽  
Gurpreet K. Chaggar ◽  
Xiaobao Li ◽  
Peter J. Teska ◽  
Haley F. Oliver

Abstract Background Pre-wetted disinfectant wipes are increasingly being used in healthcare facilities to help address the risk of healthcare associated infections (HAIs). However, HAIs are still a major problem in the US with Clostridioides difficile being the most common cause, leading to approximately 12,800 deaths annually in the US. An underexplored risk when using disinfectant wipes is that they may cross-contaminate uncontaminated surfaces during the wiping process. The objective of this study was to determine the cross-contamination risk that pre-wetted disinfectant towelettes may pose when challenged with C. difficile spores. We hypothesized that although the tested disinfectant wipes had no sporicidal claims, they will reduce spore loads. We also hypothesized that hydrogen peroxide disinfectant towelettes would present a lower cross-contamination risk than quaternary ammonium products. Methods We evaluated the risk of cross-contamination when disinfectant wipes are challenged with C. difficile ATCC 43598 spores on Formica surfaces. A disinfectant wipe was used to wipe a Formica sheet inoculated with C. difficile. After the wiping process, we determined log10 CFU on previously uncontaminated pre-determined distances from the inoculation point and on the used wipes. Results We found that the disinfectant wipes transferred C. difficile spores from inoculated surfaces to previously uncontaminated surfaces. We also found that wipes physically removed C. difficile spores and that hydrogen peroxide disinfectants were more sporicidal than the quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Conclusion Regardless of the product type, all disinfectant wipes had some sporicidal effect but transferred C. difficile spores from contaminated to otherwise previously uncontaminated surfaces. Disinfectant wipes retain C. difficile spores during and after the wiping process.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine A. Nkemngong ◽  
Gurpreet K. Chaggar ◽  
Xiaobao Li ◽  
Peter J. Teska ◽  
Haley F Oliver

Abstract Background: Pre-wetted disinfectant wipes are increasingly being used in healthcare facilities to help address the risk of healthcare associated infections (HAI). However, HAIs are still a major problem in the US with Clostridioides difficile being the most common cause, leading to approximately 12,800 deaths annually in the US. An underexplored risk when using disinfectant wipes is that they may cross-contaminate uncontaminated surfaces during the wiping process. The objective of this study was to determine the cross-contamination risk that pre-wetted disinfectant towelettes may pose when challenged with C. difficile spores. We hypothesized that although the tested disinfectant wipes had no sporicidal claims, they will reduce spore loads. We also hypothesized that hydrogen peroxide disinfectant towelettes would present a lower cross-contamination risk than quaternary ammonium products. Methods: We evaluated the risk of cross-contamination when disinfectant wipes are challenged with C. difficile ATCC 43598 spores on Formica surfaces. A disinfectant wipe was used to wipe a Formica sheet inoculated with C. difficile . After the wiping process, we determined log 10 CFU on previously uncontaminated pre-determined distances from the inoculation point and on the used wipes. Results: We found that the disinfectant wipes transferred C. difficile spores from inoculated surfaces to previously uncontaminated surfaces. We also found that wipes physically removed C. difficile spores and that hydrogen peroxide disinfectants were more sporicidal than the quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Conclusion: Regardless of the product type, all disinfectant wipes had some sporicidal effect but transferred C. difficile spores from contaminated to otherwise previously uncontaminated surfaces. Disinfectant wipes retain C. difficile spores during and after the wiping process.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 06-12
Author(s):  
Zahidul Hasan ◽  
Md. Kamrul Islam ◽  
Arifa Hossain

Recently non-fermenting Gram negative rods (NFGNR) are playing an important role in healthcare associated infections. This observational study in a tertiary care hospital of Dhaka city conducted during 01August 2007 to 30 June 2013 found that 34.8% isolated organisms from patients with healthcare associated infections were NFGNR. Majority (74.3 %) of these infections were occurring inside critical care areas. Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter together constituted 79.6% of the total NFGNR whereas Burkholderia cephacia complex (15.4%), Stenotrophomonas (4.3%) and Chryseobacterium species (0.7%) combined constituted remaining 20.4%. Out of total NFGNRs, Pseudomonas was responsible for highest number of catheter associated urinary tract infections (55.6%), ventilator associated pneumonia (46.3%), respiratory tract infection (65.8%) and surgical site infection (70.6%). Blood stream infection was predominantly caused by Burkholderia cephacia complex (33.5%) and Acinetobacter spp. (39.5%). Other than colistin most of the organisms were resistant to antibiotics commonly recommended for NFGNR.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmm.v7i2.19326 Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2013; 07(02): 6-12


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 46-59
Author(s):  
A.G. Salmanov ◽  
O.M. Verner ◽  
L.F. Slepova

Species of the Acinetobacter represent opportunistic bacteria with a growing clinical significance for Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). In this literature review, we focus on the current role of Acinetobacter in infectious pathology and describe taxonomy, pathogenicity, and antibiotic resistance of these bacteria. Pathogenesis and regulation of virulence factors in Acinetobacter spp. are described in detail. The majority of acinetobacterial infections are associated with A. baumannii and occur predominantly in an immunocompromised host. Usually, acinetobacterial  infections  are characterized by local purulent inflammation; in severe cases, meningitis and sepsis may develop. Antibiotic resistance of Acinetobacter is a major clinical problem; therefore we give special attention to laboratory testing of resistance to antibiotics as well as identification of Acinetobacter.


Author(s):  
IV Petrov ◽  
TKh Amirova ◽  
LV Petrova ◽  
FS Petrova

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections are of great socio-economic importance and are characterized by a large number of different pathogens. Nontuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous microorganisms that can circulate in a medical organization. The purpose of this review of epidemiologic studies was to establish the main features of mycobacteriosis as a healthcare-associated infection, taking into account the significance of the results and the compliance of the reviewed studies with the criteria of evidence-based medicine. Methods: We did a key word search for “nontuberculous mycobacteria”, “healthcare-associated infections”, and “mycobacteriosis” in several electronic bibliographic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, eLIBRARY, and ResearchGate and selected 127 out of 342 search results. Having analyzed the selected articles, we decided to include 34 of them in this study according to the topic of work. We established that nontuberculous mycobacteria can be found in various objects of health facilities, e.g. water supply systems, medical products and equipment. We also found that mycobacterial infection of nosocomial etiology could have various clinical manifestations (arthritis, keratitis, circulatory and skin diseases, etc.) determined by various aspects, such as heterogeneity of the group of nontuberculous mycobacteria, portals of entry (surgical procedures on various organs and systems of the human body, etc.), pathways of exposure and transmission factors. Resistance of nontuberculous mycobacteria to a number of disinfectants is a special question defining the importance of profound research in terms of ensuring sanitary and anti-epidemic (disinfection) safety within health facilities. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that mycobacterial infection can be considered as a healthcare-associated infection requiring an in-depth assessment from various perspectives including a microbiological monitoring of medical objects, statistical accounting of nosocomial infections, and clinical alertness in the diagnosis of mycobacteriosis by attending physicians and bacteriologists, etc.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 2622-2626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letitia Doina Duceac ◽  
Constantin Marcu ◽  
Daniela Luminita Ichim ◽  
Irina Mihaela Ciomaga ◽  
Elena Tarca ◽  
...  

Over the past two decades, the resistance to antibiotics, especially for Gram-negative bacteria, has increased at an alarming rate, requiring constant concern for resolving and controlling this extremely important therapeutic aspect in any medical department but in particular, in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Units, in units of neonatology, paediatrics, neurosurgery, burned patients and immunosuppressed. Specialists note a particular concern for the resistance of Enterobacteriaceae to third-generation cephalosporins and aztreonam, with a resistance profile frequently associated with the expression of extended-spectrum �-lactamases (ESBL). The Enterobacter genus comprises 14 species, but two are of medical interest, Enterobacter aerogenes and E. cloacae, which are involved in inducing healthcare-associated infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation, bacteremia, septicemia, etc. The purpose of the study was to highlight the antibiotic molecules in which microbial resistance of some circulating strains of enterobacteria was detected. A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted between 2012-2017, on a batch of 35 patients, admitted to the Sf. Maria Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children of Iasi, from whom various pathological products were collected to highlight the Enterobacter sp strains involved in the production of infections associated with the inpatient medical care. The antimicrobial sensitivity of each strain was determined by diffusimetric method, while the interpretation criteria were considered to be those of the laboratory standards. Most cases were reported in 2017 (31.42%). The majority were registered in new-borns (42.85%) and infants (25.71%). The Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Units and Neonatology Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Units departments were the most involved. Microbial antibacterial resistance of Enterobacter sp isolates showed that all manifested resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, 48.57% were resistant to Cefuroxime, 42.85% resistant to Ceftazidime and Ceftriaxone, 14.28% to ciprofloxacin, 11.42% to ertapenem, 5.71% to Meronem. Although it showed relatively few cases with infections associated with healthcare in which strains of Enterobacter sp. were isolated our study, which was carried out over a period of 5 years, provides useful indications regarding the prevalence of healthcare associated infections with Enterobacter sp in paediatric patients and guidelines for antibiotic therapy.


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