Abstract
BackgroundThe antimicrobial effects of a coating of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) has been recently described. The metalloacid material produces oxonium ions (H3O+), which creates an acidic pH that is an effective, non specific antimicrobial. We determined the in vitro antimicrobial activity of molybdenum trioxide metalloacid-coated surfaces.MethodsMetalloacid-coated and non-coated (control) surfaces were contaminated by exposing them for 15 minutes to microbial suspensions containing 105 cfu/mL. Eleven microorganisms responsible for nosocomial infections were tested: two Staphylococcus aureus strains (the hetero-vancomycin intermediate MRSA Mu50 strain and a ST80-PVL-producing MRSA strain); a vancomycin-resistant vanA Enterococcus faecium strain; three extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains; a MBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain; a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain; a toxin-producing Clostridium difficile strain; and two fungi (Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus). The assay tested the ability of the coated surfaces to kill microorganisms.ResultsAgainst all non-sporulating microorganisms tested, metalloacid-coated surfaces exhibited significant antimicrobial activity relative to that of the control surfaces within two to six hours after contact with the microorganisms (p < 0.001). Microorganism survival on the coated surfaces was greatly impaired, whereas microorganism survival on control surfaces remained substantial.ConclusionsWe suggest that, facing the continuing shedding of microorganisms in the vicinity of colonized or infected patients, the continuous biocidal effect of hydroxonium oxides against multidrug-resistant microorganisms may help limit environmental contamination between consecutive cleaning procedures.
Highlights
The antimicrobial effects of a coating of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) has been recently described
Microbial strains Nine bacterial strains were used for the assay: two methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains; a vancomycin-resistant vanA Enterococcus faecium strain; a toxin-producing Clostridium difficile strain, three extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae); a MBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain and a MDR Acinetobacter baumannii strain
Considering the continuous spread of microorganisms in the surroundings of patients, the usual rhythm of cleaning procedures in hospital wards, and the continuous biocidal effect of the metalloacid-coated surface against the multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogens, we suggest that coated device surfaces may provide an permanent means of minimizing microbial contamination between two cleaning procedures
Summary
The antimicrobial effects of a coating of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) has been recently described. Nosocomial infections are a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Those associated with contaminated surfaces and the inadequate hand hygiene of healthcare workers (HCWs) are avoidable by cleaning and/or disinfecting environmental surfaces and by appropriate hygiene practices [1,2,3,4]. The metalloacid material produces oxonium ions (H3O+), which create an acidic pH (pH 5) that is an effective antimicrobial [17]. To assess the value of such coatings in preventing the generation of environmental microbial reservoirs on medical equipment and in diminishing the risk of exposing patients to microorganisms, we studied the biocidal activity of surfaces coated with the MoO3 metalloacid material. We tested eight multidrugresistant bacteria strains representative of those that cause nosocomial infections and outbreaks worldwide, a spore-producing, toxin-producing strain of Clostridium difficile, and two fungi
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