Disinfection Procedures Research Articles

Current management status of cleaning and disinfection for gastrointestinal endoscopy: a meta-analysis

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the current status of cleaning and disinfection management for digestive endoscopy, provide data for standardization processing techniques, and improve the quality of cleaning and disinfection. Methods Two reviewers independently and comprehensively searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and CBM databases on February 1, 2023. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were strictly followed during the literature survey and data extraction. All observational studies detailing the current cleaning and disinfection management status for digestive endoscopy in hospitals were included. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA 16.0 software. Results After removing different articles, the meta-analysis finally included 54 articles associated with multiple countries. The authors favor auditing staffers to confirm compliance with guidelines. The meta-analysis results indicated a configuration rate of 76% (95% CI: 68–83%) for separate rooms designated for reprocessing; 79% (95% CI: 72–84%) for reprocessing rooms with adequate ventilation; 30% (95% CI: 24–36%) for automated endoscope washer-disinfectors; 68% (95% CI: 55–81%) for complete protective equipment usage; 90% (95% CI: 83–95%) for the configuration rate of endoscope and accessory storage cabinets; 50% (95% CI: 38–61%) for changing enzymatic-type detergents after each use; 51% (95% CI: 30–71%) for the use of purified or sterilized water for final rinsing; 80% (95% CI: 70–88%) for monitoring disinfectant concentration; 87% (95% CI: 80–93%) for microbial monitoring; and 44% (95% CI: 26–62%) for the usage of protective equipment. Conclusion The configuration of the automated endoscope washer-disinfector, non-standard cleaning and disinfection procedures, and a lack of occupational protection awareness among personnel responsible for cleaning and disinfecting digestive endoscopy were all apparent issues. It was suggested that all departments enhance their levels of management and supervision, standardize reprocessing procedures and quality control details, upgrade hardware facilities and spatial layouts, reinforce personnel training, and increase staff awareness of nosocomial infection risks.

Do the prevention procedures work in reducing infections?

Abstract Introduction Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose significant challenges in healthcare settings. Poor environmental hygiene contributes to HCAI. This study aims to evaluate and to assess the effectiveness of HCAI containment practices in nursing homes (NH). Methods The study examined infection prevention procedures in eight NHs supervised by the Multidisciplinary Commission of the Tuscany South-East Local Health Authority of Italy. Infection frequencies were obtained from NHs management and compliance with preventive procedures was assessed by inspection reports. Infection prevention protocols, including cleaning and disinfection procedures, were referenced from ministerial guidelines for hospital and territorial facilities. Comparisons was done whit Mann-Whitney test, using STATA. Results In 2023 more frequent infections were SARS-CoV-2 (19.5%), urinary tract infections (17%), pharyngitis (15.7%), influenza-like syndromes (ILI) (15%), and pneumonia (9%). Compared to 2022, significant improvements were observed in legionellosis surveillance, laundry, sanitary procedures, instrument disinfection, and hairdressing services. Non-compliance to specific procedures revealed differences in infectious onset like cleaning process verification with fungal infections (P = 0.01; M = 2,5), gastrointestinal infections (P = 0.04; M = 1.5); cleaning sanitary pans with Clostridium Difficile gastrointestinal infections (P = 0.04; M = 2); instrument disinfection with gastrointestinal infections (P = 0.04; M = 1.5) conjunctivitis (P = 0.01; M = 8); laundry procedures with pneumonia (P = 0.04; M = 18) and ILI (P = 0.04; M = 35). Conclusions These findings emphasize the importance of well-defined procedures in reducing HCAIs. While preventive measures demonstrate efficacy, continuous efforts are necessary for their consistent implementation. Continuous monitoring and stakeholder engagement are essential for developing sustainable strategies in preventing healthcare-associated infections. Key messages • Healthcare-associated infections are a significant complication in the healthcare sector and require effective practices in nursing homes. • Prevention measures are effective, but continuous and collaborative effort is needed to ensure their uniform implementation and develop more effective strategies in preventing HCAI.

Impact of ageing factors on the performance of novel viscoelastic polyurethane foams utilized as seals in respiratory protective devices

This study explores the impact of ageing factors – i.e., perspiration, disinfection procedures and ultraviolet radiation – on the structural and performance characteristics of novel viscoelastic polyurethane foams specifically developed for use in seals for respiratory protective devices (RPDs). The investigation includes an analysis of resilience, compression set and recovery time to ascertain the influence of the chosen factors on the foam’s mechanical properties. Furthermore, an in-depth exploration of the foams’ thermal properties and chemical structure was carried out using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The influence of the ageing factors on the foams’ microstructure was scrutinized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), supplemented by assessments of colour change and contact angle alterations. The experimental results were contextualized within the existing literature, with particular attention to the desired attributes of RPD seals composed of these newly engineered materials. Recommendations for use were then formulated.

Influence of Material, Sterilization, and Disinfection on the Accuracy of Three-Dimensional Printed Surgical Templates: An InVitro Study.

To evaluate the influence of the three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, material, sterilization, and disinfection on the accuracy of guided surgical templates. Fifty printed resin surgical templates were designed and fabricated using a digital light processing 3D printer with a photopolymerizing resin, and 50 printed metal surgical templates were designed and fabricated using a selective laser melting 3D printer with a titanium alloy. Templates from both groups were randomly divided into five subgroups involving different sterilization and disinfection procedures. The group without any sterilization or disinfection procedure served as the control group, whereas the other groups were used as the study groups (hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization, 5% povidone-iodine disinfection, 75% ethyl alcohol disinfection, and steam autoclave sterilization). Implant simulations were performed on the 3D-printed resin models, and postoperative impressions were acquired with scan bodies attached to the implants. All surgical templates were digitally scanned. The root mean square was used to determine and quantify fabrication accuracy and reproducibility, and the definitive and planned implant positions were compared. The printed resin templates exhibited lower fabrication accuracy and reproducibility, as well as higher 3D deviations, after steam autoclave sterilization (p < 0.001); however, the printed metal templates were not affected by the different sterilization or disinfection procedures (p > 0.05). Printed metal surgical templates are viable alternatives for guided implant surgery. Preoperative steam or gas plasma sterilization is recommended, especially for metal templates, as resin templates show deformation and decreased accuracy after steam sterilization. chictr.org.cn number: ChiCTR2400081334.

Применение озона в хранении и переработке зерна (обзор)

Green technologies are gaining popularity in agriculture and the food industry, including such areas as disinfection and detoxification of grain and its products. Ozonation is an effective disinfection procedure. However, scientific data on grain ozonation are scattered and incomplete. The article offers a review and a critical analysis of scientific publications that feature ozonation in grain processing and storage. The keyword search covered publications indexed in eLIBRARY.RU, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, MDPI, and Springer Link in 2013–2023. In grain storage and processing, ozonation serves as a green technology of disinfection and detoxification of raw materials and finished products. It increases storage life but does not affect human or animal health. Ozone proved to possess antimicrobial, fungicidal, and insecticidal properties. It was able to degrade mycotoxins and pesticides. The publications reviewed did not report any evidence that ozone reduces the quality of grain or bakery products. On the contrary, it disintegrated quickly, without developing any toxic compounds. Ozone treatment depends on many factors, e.g., raw material humidity, ozone concentration, treatment time, environmental pH and temperature, form of application, etc. In general, ozonation was reported to improve the quality of wheat flour and its products. However, rational variables require additional research. Ozonation of grain and its products was often described as cost-effective. Ozonation has the potential to find extensive application as a green technology that ensures disinfection and detoxification of grain raw materials and finished products, which also means good prospects for grain storage and processing.

Biosecurity Compliance and Its Applications in Poultry Production Sectors

Poultry farming has been recognized as one of the most vital sectors for the economy and revenue generation in many countries. For the production of high-quality freshly hatched chicks, effective cleaning and sanitation of the hatchery environment and hatching eggs were crucial components of proper management and hygiene in chicken hatcheries. The current review aimed to assess the efficient ways of mitigating the risk of disease introduction (external biosecurity) and its subsequent dissemination (internal biosecurity) within and between poultry farms and hatcheries. In addition to identifying the variety of risk categories that are applied to various biosecurity industries, this article clarified the equivalent tools, including checklists and/or questionnaires, that can be used to assess biosecurity compliance. The checklist was aimed to evaluate numerous biosecurity protocol categories, including the farm's infrastructure, employees, their education and training, access control mechanisms, cleaning and disinfection procedures, handling of litter and waste, chick control, registrations, and pest management. In conclusion, external biosecurity was critical to preventing infections from entering hatcheries and poultry farms. Questionnaires or checklists were effective instruments for gathering information on biosecurity and evaluating compliance in poultry farms. Keywords: Biosecurity compliance, Checklist, Hazard, Poultry sector

Contamination patterns of the neonatal equipment, major microorganisms, and effectiveness of disinfection procedures including refurbished UV C lights at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB)

A contaminated environment plays a significant role in transmitting hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) but regular chemical disinfection is the backbone for tackling this chain of transmission and the combination of both UV lights may increase the effectiveness of cleaning. This study assessed the effectiveness of chemical disinfection, with and without additional UV light exposure, in reducing bacterial contamination in a Neonatal unit. Therefore, interventions consisted of usual chemical disinfection with and without a 2-hour exposure to Ultraviolet light from refurbished UV lamps. Researchers swabbed high-touch surfaces and equipment before and after disinfection to identify bacterial presence. They found that 36.4% of the sampled sites showed bacterial growth, with the nursing trolley being the most contaminated. The most common bacteria isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae (50%), which, along with other bacteria, displayed high resistance to commonly used antibiotics like Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid and Cefuroxime. Only Meropenem and Amikacin remained effective. The study concludes that despite chemical disinfection, bacterial contamination remains significant, and conventional UV light alone did not completely eradicate bacteria, highlighting the need for more effective disinfection strategies. Keywords: Neonatology Service, University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB), hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), disinfection

The Resistance of Bacillus Spores: Implications for the Strain-Specific Response to High-Performance Disinfectants.

Bacterial spores in materials and equipment pose significant biosecurity risks, making effective disinfection crucial. This study evaluated Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and a quaternary ammonia-glutaraldehyde solution (AG) for inactivating spores of Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), B. cereus (BC), and two strains of B. velezensis (BV1 and BV2). Spores of BV1 and BT were treated with 22.5mg/m3 OPA by dry fumigation or 1mg/mL AG by spray for 20min, according to the manufacturer's recommendation. As no sporicidal effect was observed, OPA was tested at 112.5mg/m3 for 40min, showing effectiveness for BT but not for BV1. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests revealed higher MBC values for glutaraldehyde, prompting an overnight test with 112.5mg/m3 OPA by dry fumigation and 50mg/mL AG by spray, using formaldehyde as a control. AG reduced all Bacillus strains, but with limited sporicidal effect. OPA was sporicidal for BT and BV1 but not for BC and BV2, indicating a strain-dependent effect. Formaldehyde performed better overall but did not completely inactivate BV2 spores. Our findings suggest that OPA and AG have potential as formaldehyde replacements in wet disinfection procedures.

Effectiveness of water system chemical disinfection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, despite a not-so-obvious connection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a well-recognized opportunistic pathogen frequently responsible for hospital-acquired infections. Acquisition routes of P aeruginosa are both endogenous and exogenous, including transmission from a portion of the hospital water system. The impact of disinfection procedures of the water system and description routes of P aeruginosa transmission in a surgical intensive care unit over a 2-year period were investigated. Two distinct periods A and B were considered, respectively, before and after the disinfection. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to compare isolates recovered from patients and tap water. Overall, 21.3% of tap water samples were positive but with a significantly lower rate in period B. Concomitantly, the prevalence of patients positive for P aeruginosa decreased from 2.6% to 1%, suggesting a correlation between the presence of environmental sources and patient contaminations. The results revealed that 18% of patients were involved in cross-transmission events not related to any isolate recovered from water, suggesting transmission through care practices. Conversely, only 1 environmental transmission event was suspected in a patient. Although the link between the hospital environment and patients was unclear, HCW-associated care practices could be related to contaminated point-of-use waters and then indirect spreading to patients.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae with a hypermucoviscosity phenotype challenges strategies of water disinfection for its capsular polysaccharides

Due to the strong pathogenicity of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP), its performance against disinfectants in water should be understood to protect public health and ecological environment. Unfortunately, the disinfectant tolerance of hvKP with a hypermucoviscosity (HMV) phenotype is a critical underexplored area. Here, the tolerance of K. pneumoniae isolates to common disinfectants was evaluated, and its underlying mechanisms were clarified. Results showed that hvKP strains with HMV exhibited remarkable tolerance to triclosan (TCS), sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), and benzalkonium bromide (BB), surpassing that of low-virulent K. pneumoniae (lvKP) and Escherichia coli, which is the microbial indicator of drinking water quality. Ct value of NaClO reached 4.41 mg/L·min to kill 4-log hvKP, while the values were 2.52 and 2.28 mg/L·min to achieve 4-log killing of lvKP and E. coli, respectively. The curing of the virulence plasmid from hvKP strain K2044 revealed that capsular polysaccharide (CPS) synthesis, driven by the virulence plasmids, helped mitigate cell membrane injury and bacterial inactivation under NaClO stress; consequently, it provided a protective advantage to hvKP. Enhancing the antioxidative stress system to reduce ROS production and mitigate oxidative stress caused by NaClO further improved the disinfectant resistance of hvKP strains with HMV. This study emphasized that hvKP strains with HMV posed a considerable challenge to disinfection procedure of water treatment. It also revealed that an improved dosage of NaClO ensures bacteria killing, indicating the optimization of the design of water treatment processes involving disinfection strategies and technical parameters should be considered.

Microbiological evaluation of ultraviolet C light-emitting diodes for disinfection of medical instruments

BackgroundDespite the many guidelines for reprocessing of medical instruments, challenges persist such as microbial resistance to biocides, corrosive effects on materials, and time-consuming reprocessing procedures. Ultraviolet (UV) C light-emitting diode (LED) chambers might provide a solution but the integration in healthcare is still in its infancy. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a novel ZAPARAY™ UVC LED chamber as a time and energy-efficient alternative for reprocessing of medical instruments for which current disinfection protocols exhibit limitations. MethodsWe verified the disinfection efficacy of the UVC LED chamber on a Petri dish and contaminated several medical devices with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. The bacterial reduction was assessed after 5 min of UVC LED exposure. Additionally, we investigated the impact of rinsing before UVC exposure. ResultsWe demonstrated a bacterial reduction of 9 log10 on a Petri dish. Non-rinsed dental tools exhibited varied reduction levels ranging from a 3.23 log10 to a 6.25 log10 reduction. Rinsing alone yielded an average reduction of 2.7 log10 and additional UVC exposure further reduced the bacterial load by an average of 3.65 log10. We showed an average 4.90 log10 reduction on thermistors, 2 log10 or less on orthodontic pliers, and no reduction on handpieces. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that UVC LED chambers may be used as a standardized substitute for specific (manual) disinfection procedures of certain medical devices, offering a time-efficient and more sustainable alternative. However, its use should be preceded by efficacy testing for each specific type of instrument.

Sensitivity assessment of optimal control strategies and cost-effectiveness analysis of a novel Candida Auris environmental transmission model in intensive care facilities

Candida Auris is an emerging fungal pathogen flagged by CDC as a serious global health threat among nosocomial infections in the recent times. As an evolving pathogen that often goes misidentified or unidentified under standard laboratory tests, it has the ability to cause fatal infections among the target population involving patients with serious medical conditions admitted to intensive care facilities, due to its capacity to resist anti-fungal treatment and the ability to persist in the hospital environment for long periods. The subject of this paper is to develop a deterministic model to study the transmission nature of Candida Auris wherein measures like apt admission screening methods with weekly screening follow-ups, transmission prevention, proper treatment protocols and environmental disinfection procedures are introduced as constant mitigating controls into the model initially which are later redefined as variable control functions during the optimal control analysis. The theory of optimal control implemented into the model helps us to understand the sensitivity of each control strategy upon the behaviour of each state variable. Further, cost-effectiveness analysis is rigorously conducted using incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) to identify and rank the control strategies involved based on their economic efficiency. Numerical simulation for the optimal control analysis is performed in MATLAB using the Forward–Backward Sweep Method and the findings are illustrated graphically.

Gene emrC Associated with Resistance to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Is Common among Listeria monocytogenes from Meat Products and Meat Processing Plants in Poland.

(1) Background: L. monocytogenes is a food pathogen of great importance, characterized by a high mortality rate. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), such as benzalkonium chloride (BC), are often used as disinfectants in food processing facilities. The effectiveness of disinfection procedures is crucial to food safety. (2) Methods: A collection of 153 isolates of L. monocytogenes from meat processing industry was analyzed for their sensitivity to BC using the agar diffusion method. Genes of interest were detected with PCR. (3) Results: Genes emrC, bcrABC, and qacH were found in 64 (41.8%), 6 (3.9%), and 1 isolate (0.7%), respectively, and 79 isolates (51.6%) were classified as having reduced sensitivity to BC. A strong correlation between carrying QACs resistance-related genes and phenotype was found (p-value < 0.0001). Among 51 isolates originating from bacon (collected over 13 months), 48 had the emrC gene, which could explain their persistent presence in a processing facility. Isolates with the ilsA gene (from LIPI-3) were significantly (p-value 0.006) less likely to carry QACs resistance-related genes. (4) Conclusions: Reduced sensitivity to QACs is common among L. monocytogenes from the meat processing industry. Persistent presence of these bacteria in a processing facility is presumably caused by emrC-induced QACs resistance.

Topographic analysis of fiber posts after surface disinfection with different methods

Aims: This study aims to comprehensively examine the surface morphology of fiber posts after undergoing various disinfection methods, utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Materials and Methods: Twenty-one fiber posts were randomly allocated into seven experimental groups, each consisting of three samples. The disinfection methods employed were as follows: GC - no disinfection treatment; GAL - immersion in 70% alcohol, following the manufacturer's recommended protocol; GHP - soaking in 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for a duration of 10 minutes; GCL - soaking in 2% chlorhexidine gluconate for a period of five minutes; GAC - 30-second etching with 35% phosphoric acid; GPH - soaking in 10% hydrogen peroxide for a duration of 20 minutes; and GSL - autoclave sterilization. Following the disinfection procedures, SEM was employed to scrutinize the surface topography of the posts, while EDX was utilized to identify the chemical elements present on the sample surfaces. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis was conducted on the SEM images and EDX data. Results: SEM analysis revealed that all groups exhibited regions with epoxy resin-coated fibers alongside sections with exposed glass fibers. Analysis of the EDX data indicated that there were no significant differences in the predominant chemical elements across the groups. Carbon (C) and oxygen (O) registered the highest peaks, followed by silicon (Si), zirconium (Zr), sodium (Na), aluminum (Al), and calcium (Ca). Conclusions: The disinfection methods under investigation did not induce substantial alterations in the surface morphology of the fiber posts.

Dynamics of microbiome and resistome in a poultry burger processing line

Traditionally, surveillance programs for food products and food processing environments have focused on targeted pathogens and resistance genes. Recent advances in high throughput sequencing allow for more comprehensive and untargeted monitoring. This study assessed the microbiome and resistome in a poultry burger processing line using culturing techniques and whole metagenomic sequencing (WMS). Samples included meat, burgers, and expired burgers, and different work surfaces.Microbiome analysis revealed spoilage microorganisms as the main microbiota, with substantial shifts observed during the shelf-life period. Core microbiota of meat and burgers included Pseudomonas spp., Psychrobacter spp., Shewanella spp. and Brochothrix spp., while expired burgers were dominated by Latilactobacillus spp. and Leuconostoc spp. Cleaning and disinfection (C&D) procedures altered the microbial composition of work surfaces, which still harbored Hafnia spp. and Acinetobacter spp. after C&D. Resistome analysis showed a low overall abundance of resistance genes, suggesting that effective interventions during processing may mitigate their transmission. However, biocide resistance genes were frequently found, indicating potential biofilm formation or inefficient C&D protocols.This study demonstrates the utility of combining culturing techniques and WMS for comprehensive of the microbiome and resistome characterization in food processing lines.

Insertion site and risk of peripheral intravenous catheter colonization and/or local infection: a post hoc analysis of the CLEAN 3 study including more than 800 catheters

AimAlthough uncommon, infections associated with peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) may be responsible for severe life-threatening complications and increase healthcare costs. Few data are available on the relationship between PIVC insertion site and risk of infectious complications.MethodsWe performed a post hoc analysis of the CLEAN 3 database, a randomized 2 × 2 factorial study comparing two skin disinfection procedures (2% chlorhexidine-alcohol or 5% povidone iodine-alcohol) and two types of medical devices (innovative or standard) in 989 adults patients requiring PIVC insertion before admission to a medical ward. Insertion sites were grouped into five areas: hand, wrist, forearm, cubital fossa and upper arm. We evaluated the risk of risk of PIVC colonization (i.e., tip culture eluate in broth showing at least one microorganism in a concentration of at least 1000 Colony Forming Units per mL) and/or local infection (i.e., organisms growing from purulent discharge at PIVC insertion site with no evidence of associated bloodstream infection), and the risk of positive PIVC tip culture (i.e., PIVC-tip culture eluate in broth showing at least one microorganism regardless of its amount) using multivariate Cox models.ResultsEight hundred twenty three PIVCs with known insertion site and sent to the laboratory for quantitative culture were included. After adjustment for confounding factors, PIVC insertion at the cubital fossa or wrist was associated with increased risk of PIVC colonization and/or local infection (HR [95% CI], 1.64 [0.92—2.93] and 2.11 [1.08—4.13]) and of positive PIVC tip culture (HR [95% CI], 1.49 [1.02—2.18] and 1.59 [0.98—2.59]).ConclusionPIVC insertion at the wrist or cubital fossa should be avoided whenever possible to reduce the risk of catheter colonization and/or local infection and of positive PIVC tip culture.

Investigation of failure of flexible GI endoscope disinfection because of Burkholderia cepacia contamination in irrigation tubing

Background and AimsThis study aims to identify the cause of disinfection failure of multiple flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes and to enhance the cleaning and disinfection procedures. MethodsSamples from endoscopy devices, surrounding objects, cleaning water, automatic sterilizer, and integrated endoscopic washing workstation in a Digestive Endoscopy Center were collected and analyzed for microbial contamination and DNA/gene contents, between May and July 2021. ResultsThe sample analysis revealed that the sink irrigation tubing of the washing workstation was contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia. After effective disinfection measures, the B. cepacia detection in the disinfected endoscope dropped from 13.23% to 0% (p=0.041). The presence of B. cepacia was confirmed through homology search and gene sequencing. ConclusionsThe primary reason for endoscope disinfection failure is the contamination of the sink irrigation tubing by the B. cepacia bacteria. These findings emphasize the need for thorough cleaning of irrigation tubings in integrated endoscopic washing workstations, which is generally neglected in routine maintanance.

Comparative analysis of commercial cleaning and disinfection formulations and protocols for effective eradication of biofilms formed by a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain isolated from a poultry meat plant

Pseudomonas spp. is the main genus of spoilage bacteria for meat stored under aerobic chilling conditions. Given their ability to adapt to various environmental conditions and to form biofilms, they are common among residential microbiota in the food industry. Biofilms are complex, structured microbial communities encased in a self-produced exopolysaccharide matrix. Resident biofilm bacteria show increased resistance against disinfectants and dynamic or hostile environments, and are therefore a persistent source of food contamination. Hence, there is a need to design and implement control strategies that are effective against biofilms in the food industry. In this study, we tested a series of commercial cleaning and disinfection agents applied by immersion or aerosolization against robust biofilms of a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain isolated from a poultry meat plant by comparing the sessile cell counts before and after the procedure. The single application of a) an alkaline or an enzymatic detergent, b) a disinfectant based on peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, or c) a detergent-disinfectant based on tertiary alkylamines or sodium hypochlorite, failed to completely eradicate the biofilm. However, two-step cleaning and disinfection procedures involving the application of a detergent (either alkaline or enzymatic at 50 °C) followed by the application of the disinfectant based on peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide at the manufacturer's recommended concentrations did result in the complete eradication (p ≤ 0.05) of the robust biofilm. In addition, cleaning and disinfection procedures applied by aerosolization showed a notable efficacy (p ≤ 0.05) against surface-dried cells and sessile cells of P. fluorescens. Therefore, this approach could be regarded as a potentially viable alternative to commonly applied immersion techniques.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sterilization and Disinfection of Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Background:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Healthcare professionals face a constant risk of acquiring infections from patients. Exposure to blood, saliva, and sharp instruments increases their susceptibility to various infectious diseases. Proper sterilization and disinfection procedures are crucial for protecting both healthcare workers and patients. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Objective:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding sterilization and disinfection among healthcare professionals in Bangladesh.&amp;lt;i&amp;gt; Methods&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases &amp; Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to June 2023. A total of 81 healthcare professionals were randomly selected and participated in the study after providing verbal consent. Data collection involved a pre-structured questionnaire focusing on knowledge, attitude, and practices related to sterilization and disinfection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Ethical clearance was obtained before the study commenced. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Results: &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;The study included healthcare professionals from various backgrounds, with the majority being young adults (21-25 years old). Knowledge assessment revealed a good understanding of sterilization methods, disinfection procedures, post-sterilization instrument management, and waste disposal practices. Additionally, most participants were aware of the hospital&amp;apos;s sterilization protocols and infection prevention policies. Regarding attitudes, a positive response was observed towards regular training for staff, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to sterilization and disinfection guidelines. However, a minority expressed concerns about reusing disposable items. Practices reflected the positive knowledge and attitudes, with a high percentage of participants following hand hygiene protocols, using PPE, and opting for disposable equipment. However, a small number reported experiencing needle-stick injuries, highlighting a potential gap between knowledge and practice. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusions:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; the study found that a majority of healthcare professionals in this setting demonstrated good knowledge, positive attitudes, and appropriate practices regarding sterilization and disinfection. However, a small knowledge, attitude, and practice gap was identified, particularly concerning needle-stick injuries. These findings suggest a need for ongoing education and reinforcement of safe practices to ensure optimal infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.

Fighting Salmonella Infantis: bacteriophage-driven cleaning and disinfection strategies for broiler farms.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food-borne infections and is responsible for the most common gastrointestinal illnesses. The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains worldwide is a major threat, representing a major challenge in public health. To reduce its incidence, the One Health approach is required, and the development of new biocontrol protocols will help prevent or eliminate the spread of Salmonella. Prevention measures, such as on-farm cleaning and disinfection protocols, are a crucial step in reducing infection to new flocks and eliminating bacteria that remain in the facilities. However, MDR Salmonella species, such as S. Infantis, are highly resistant to conventional cleaning and disinfection protocols, with an increased ability to persist in the broiler farm environment. The need for alternative biocontrol methods has led to the use of bacteriophages or phages, viruses that target bacteria, as promising tools. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of phages as a biocide against S. Infantis isolates in combination with cleaning and disinfection protocols in 10 commercial poultry farms. All commercial farms selected in this study had persistent Salmonella, even after the routinely used cleaning and disinfection procedures. In addition, Salmonella isolated before treatment were phenotypically characterized by antimicrobial resistance patterns. The results showed that 100% of S. Infantis were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and > 70% were MDR. Phages were then isolated against the in-farm bacteria, purified, and multiplied for each poultry farm. The cleaning and disinfection protocols included the application of the lytic phages (vB_Si_CECAV_FGS009; vB_Si_CECAV_FGS017; vB_Si_CECAV_FGS029 and vB_Si_CECAV _FGS030) twice at 24-h intervals between cleaning and disinfection. Following the cleaning and disinfection procedures, Salmonella detection was reduced from 100% after cleaning to 36% after applying the phages and dropped to 0% after the final step of disinfection, thus eliminating Salmonella from the farm facilities. This study demonstrates that bacteriophage application after cleaning and before disinfection enhances the removal of MDR Salmonella Infantis in commercial broiler farms, suggesting their use as biocontrol agents to reduce Salmonella, a major public health concern.