Classical Scrapie Did Not Re-occur in Goats After Cleaning and Disinfection of the Farm Premises

The purpose of this study was to investigate the L. monocytogenes occurrence and genetic diversity in three Belgian pork cutting plants. We specifically aim to identify harborage sites and niche locations where this pathogen might occur. A total of 868 samples were taken from a large diversity of food and non-food contact surfaces after cleaning and disinfection (C&D) and during processing. A total of 13% (110/868) of environmental samples tested positive for L. monocytogenes. When looking in more detail, zone 3 non-food contact surfaces were contaminated more often (26%; 72/278) at typical harborage sites, such as floors, drains, and cleaning materials. Food contact surfaces (zone 1) were less frequently contaminated (6%; 25/436), also after C&D. PFGE analysis exhibited low genetic heterogeneity, revealing 11 assigned clonal complexes (CC), four of which (CC8, CC9, CC31, and CC121) were predominant and widespread. Our data suggest (i) the occasional introduction and repeated contamination and/or (ii) the establishment of some persistent meat-adapted clones in all cutting plants. Further, we highlight the importance of well-designed extensive sampling programs combined with genetic characterization to help these facilities take corrective actions to prevent transfer of this pathogen from the environment to the meat.

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Is a reduction in viability enough to determine biofilm susceptibility to a biocide?

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2021.42 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Katarzyna Ledwoch ◽

Maddalena Magoga ◽

Dulcie Williams ◽

Stefania Fabbri ◽

James Walsh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Action ◽

Atmospheric Plasma ◽

Sense Of Security ◽

Biocidal Products ◽

False Sense ◽

Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate ◽

430 Stainless Steel ◽

Cross Transmission ◽

Product Test ◽

Cleaning And Disinfection

Abstract Objective: The abundance and prevalence of dry-surface biofilms (DSBs) in hospitals constitute an emerging problem, yet studies rarely report the cleaning and disinfection efficacy against DSBs. Here, the combined impact of treatments on viability, transferability, and recovery of bacteria from DSBs has been investigated for the first time. Methods: Staphylococcus aureus DSBs were produced in alternating 48-hour wet–dry cycles for 12 days on AISI 430 stainless steel discs. The efficacy of 11 commercially available disinfectants, 4 detergents, and 2 contactless interventions were tested using a modified standardized product test. Reduction in viability, direct transferability, cross transmission (via glove intermediate), and DSB recovery after treatment were measured. Results: Of 11 disinfectants, 9 were effective in killing and removing bacteria from S. aureus DSBs with >4 log10 reduction. Only 2 disinfectants, sodium dichloroisocyanurate 1,000 ppm and peracetic acid 3,500 ppm, were able to lower both direct and cross transmission of bacteria (<2 compression contacts positive for bacterial growth). Of 11 disinfectants, 8 could not prevent DSB recovery for >2 days. Treatments not involving mechanical action (vaporized hydrogen peroxide and cold atmospheric plasma) were ineffective, producing <1 log10 reduction in viability, DSB regrowth within 1 day, and 100% transferability of DSB after treatment. Conclusions: Reduction in bacterial viability alone does not determine product performance against biofilm and might give a false sense of security to consumers, manufacturers and regulators. The ability to prevent bacterial transfer and biofilm recovery after treatment requires a better understanding of the effectiveness of biocidal products.

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Comparison of Two Novel Methods for Sink Drain Disinfection

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.712 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s180-s180

Author(s):

Muhammed Fawwaz Haq ◽

Lucas Jones ◽

Natalia Pinto Herrera ◽

Jennifer Cadnum ◽

Philip Carling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Contact Time ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Disinfection Methods ◽

Initial Reduction ◽

Repeated Measures Analysis ◽

Potential Reservoir ◽

Cleaning And Disinfection

Background: Sink drainage systems are a potential reservoir for the dissemination of gram-negative bacilli but are not amenable to standard methods of cleaning and disinfection. Pouring liquid disinfectants down drains has only a limited and transient effect on drain colonization, presumably due to inadequate disinfectant contact time and suboptimal penetration into areas harboring biofilm-associated organisms. Methods: We compared the antimicrobial efficacy of 2 novel sink disinfection methods intended to enhance disinfectant contact time and penetration. Healthcare facility sinks were randomly assigned to disinfection with 300 mL hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant applied either as a foam (N = 13 sinks) or instilled for 30 minutes behind a temporary obstruction created by an inflated urinary catheter balloon (N = 12 sinks). Swabs were used to collect quantitative cultures from the proximal sink drain to depth of 2.5 cm (1 inch) below the strainer before treatment and at 15 minutes and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days after treatment. Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to compare the efficacy of the 2 treatments. Results: As shown in Fig. 1, both methods yielded an initial reduction of >3 log10 CFU of gram-negative bacilli. Over the 7-day follow-up period, disinfectant instillation resulted in significantly greater reduction than the foam application (P < .01). Recovery of sink colonization to >2 log per swab occurred at day 3 for both treatments, whereas recovery to >3 log per swab occurred on day 3 for the foam treatment versus day 7 for disinfectant instillation. Conclusions: Two novel disinfection methods were effective in reducing sink drain colonization for several days. The instillation method was more effective than the foam method in maintaining reductions over 7 days.Funding: NoneDisclosures: NoneDisclosures: NoneFunding: None

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P121 The effect of training about nebuliser cleaning and disinfection on the knowledge levels and practises of the caregivers of patients with cystic fibrosis

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis ◽

10.1016/s1569-1993(21)01147-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. S76

Author(s):

M. Cenk ◽

A.P. Ergenekon ◽

C. Yilmaz Yegit ◽

A. Guliyeva ◽

M. Kalyoncuoglu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cystic Fibrosis ◽

Knowledge Levels ◽

Cleaning And Disinfection

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Evaluation of a Continuous Decontamination Technology in an Intensive Care Unit

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.1201 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s519-s519

Author(s):

Tami Inman BSN ◽

David Chansolme

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Urban Hospital ◽

Patient Room ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Prevention Interventions ◽

Continuous Application ◽

Low Levels ◽

Healthcare Associated ◽

Cleaning And Disinfection

Background: The scientific literature increasingly indicates the need for the development of continuous disinfection to address the persistent contamination and recontamination that occurs in the patient rooms despite routine cleaning and disinfection. Methods: To determine a baseline microbial burden level on patient room surfaces in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a large urban hospital, 50 locations were swabbed for total colony-forming units (CFU) and the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Once the baseline in ICU patient rooms was established, 5 novel decontamination devices were installed in the HVAC ducts near these patient rooms. The devices provide a continuous low-level application of oxidizing molecules, predominately hydrogen peroxide. These molecules exit the duct and circulate in the patient room through normal convection, landing on all surfaces. After activation, environmental sampling was conducted every 4 weeks for 4 months. The effect from continuous low levels of oxidizing molecules on the intrinsic microbial burden and the prevalence of MRSA were analyzed. In addition to external laboratory reports, the facility tracked healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the unit. HAI data were averaged by month and were compared to the preactivation average in the same unit. Results: The preactivation average microbial burden found on the 50 locations were 179,000 CFU per 100 in2. The prevalence of MRSA was 71% with an average of 81 CFU per 100 in2. After activation of the devices, levels of microbial burden, prevalence of MRSA, and average monthly HAI rates were all significantly lower on average: 95% reduction in average microbial burden (8,206 CFU per 100 in2); 81% reduction in the prevalence of MRSA (13% vs 71%); 54% reduction in the average of healthcare-onset HAIs. All data were obtained from the averages of sampling data for 4 weeks during the 4-month trial period. Conclusions: The continuous application of low levels of oxidizing molecules throughout the patient rooms of an ICU demonstrated 3 outcomes: reduced overall surface microbial burden, lowered the incidence of MRSA, and significantly decreased the monthly average HAI rate. Please note, the ICU ran other infection prevention interventions at this time, including standard cleaning, as well as and their standard disinfecting techniques.Funding: This study was supported by the CASPR Group.Disclosures: None

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Microbial bioburden of inpatient and outpatient areas beyond patient hospital rooms

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2021.309 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Jennifer L. Cadnum ◽

Basya S. Pearlmutter ◽

Annette L. Jencson ◽

Hanan Haydar ◽

Michelle T. Hecker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Pathogens ◽

Outpatient Clinics ◽

Acinetobacter Baumanii ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Fluorescent Markers ◽

Clostridioides Difficile ◽

Vancomycin Resistant ◽

Healthcare Associated ◽

Cleaning And Disinfection ◽

Surgery Center

Abstract Objective: To investigate the frequency of environmental contamination in hospital areas outside patient rooms and in outpatient healthcare facilities. Design: Culture survey. Setting: This study was conducted across 4 hospitals, 4 outpatient clinics, and 1 surgery center. Methods: We conducted 3 point-prevalence culture surveys for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Clostridioides difficile, Candida spp, and gram-negative bacilli including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in each facility. In hospitals, high-touch surfaces were sampled from radiology, physical therapy, and mobile equipment and in emergency departments, waiting rooms, clinics, and endoscopy facilities. In outpatient facilities, surfaces were sampled in exam rooms including patient and provider areas, patient bathrooms, and waiting rooms and from portable equipment. Fluorescent markers were placed on high-touch surfaces and removal was assessed 1 day later. Results: In the hospitals, 110 (9.4%) of 1,195 sites were positive for 1 or more bacterial pathogens (range, 5.3%–13.7% for the 4 hospitals) and 70 (5.9%) were positive for Candida spp (range, 3.7%–5.9%). In outpatient facilities, 31 of 485 (6.4%) sites were positive for 1 or more bacterial pathogens (range, 2% to 14.4% for the 5 outpatient facilities) and 50 (10.3%) were positive for Candida spp (range, 3.9%–23.3%). Fluorescent markers had been removed from 33% of sites in hospitals (range, 28.4%–39.7%) and 46.3% of sites in outpatient clinics (range, 7.4%–82.8%). Conclusions: Surfaces in hospitals outside patient rooms and in outpatient facilities are frequently contaminated with healthcare-associated pathogens. Improvements in cleaning and disinfection practices are needed to reduce contamination.

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Efficacy of Three Commercial Disinfectants in Reducing Microbial Surfaces’ Contaminations of Pharmaceuticals Hospital Facilities

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020779 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 779

Author(s):

Giuseppina Di Martino ◽

Salvatore Pasqua ◽

Bruno Douradinha ◽

Francesco Monaco ◽

Chiara Di Bartolo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States Pharmacopeia ◽

Log10 Reduction ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Before And After ◽

Disinfection Procedure ◽

Cleaning And Disinfection ◽

States Pharmacopeia ◽

Representative Samples ◽

Correct Implementation ◽

Reduction Index

To evaluate and validate the efficacy of disinfectants used in our cleaning procedure, in order to reduce pharmaceutical hospital surfaces’ contaminations, we tested the action of three commercial disinfectants on small representative samples of the surfaces present in our hospital cleanrooms. These samples (or coupons) were contaminated with selected microorganisms for the validation of the disinfectants. The coupons were sampled before and after disinfection and the microbial load was assessed to calculate the Log10 reduction index. Subsequently, we developed and validated a disinfection procedure on real surfaces inside the cleanrooms intentionally contaminated with microorganisms, using approximately 107–108 total colony forming units per coupon. Our results showed a bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal efficacy coherent to the acceptance criteria suggested by United States Pharmacopeia 35 <1072>. The correct implementation of our cleaning and disinfection procedure, respecting stipulated concentrations and contact times, led to a reduction of at least 6 Log10 for all microorganisms used. The proposed disinfection procedure reduced the pharmaceutical hospital surfaces’ contaminations, limited the propagation of microorganisms in points adjacent to the disinfected area, and ensured high disinfection and safety levels for operators, patients, and treated surfaces.

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