Infection prevention and control knowledge and educational needs among nurses in healthcare settings: results from the Hygeia European survey.

Informatics for Infection Prevention and Control.

Reducing carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli in high-risk veterinary hospital units through targeted infection prevention and control.

Optimizing Infection Prevention in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries.

Identifying risk factors for gastrointestinal carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) colonization and acquisition is essential for guiding infection prevention and control strategies; however, most studies focus exclusively on colonization at hospital admission. We aimed to distinguish determinants of CRE colonization present at intensive care unit (ICU) admission from those driving acquisition during ICU stay using serial surveillance screening. A prospective cohort study was conducted in two ICUs in Brazil. Screening relied on rectal swab cultures from April 2022 to May 2024, supplemented with immunochromatographic testing in one ICU and polymerase chain reaction in the other during October 2023-May 2024. Colonization at admission and incident acquisition during stay were outcomes of interest. Pre-ICU predictors were evaluated using logistic regression with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator selection, whereas post-ICU factors were assessed through generalized estimating equations. Among 751 patients, 39 (5%) were colonized with CRE at ICU admission. Previous acute care hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] = 2.70; P = 0.006) and transfer from another hospital (OR = 2.62; P = 0.046) were independent risk factors. Post-ICU-admission incident CRE colonization was associated with ICU B stay (OR = 2.20; P = 0.013), broad-spectrum antibiotics (OR = 1.90; P = 0.018), urinary catheter use (OR = 2.33; P = 0.024), and shock (OR = 1.91; P = 0.043). Hand hygiene compliance and contact precautions adherence were >80% across both units. CRE acquisition in ICU appears related to colonization pressure, antibiotic disruption, and specific device use. Prevention of CRE acquisition in high-prevalence ICUs likely requires interventions beyond standard infection prevention and control measures.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals played a vital role during COVID-19, yet their experiences remain largely unexplored. Understanding these experiences is crucial for strengthening health system preparedness for future outbreaks/pandemic. This study investigates IPC professionals' preparedness, response capacity, knowledge base, and barriers/enablers during COVID-19 to inform future pandemic planning. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2024 among IPC professionals worldwide through WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network partners and professional IPC organisations. The survey was translated into five languages, comprising 30 questions that covered demographics, professional preparedness, response capacity, and pandemic experiences. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS, while qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis. Eighty-six responses from 19 countries were analysed, with participants mainly from Australia (48.8 %), Canada (17.4 %), and the United Kingdom (8.1 %). Most worked in government hospitals (54.7 %) with dedicated IPC roles (57.0 %) and over five years of experience (73.2 %). Four interconnected themes emerged: establishing IPC as vital expertise, confronting the psychological toll of IPC work, navigating shifting guidance and policy, and managing resource scarcity and workforce strain. Participants reported a lack of recognition as "front-line" staff, significant psychological burdens including post-traumatic stress, challenges with rapidly changing guidance undermining staff trust, and overwhelming workloads without additional resources. IPC professionals showed remarkable dedication despite facing structural neglect and emotional difficulties. Findings highlight the urgent need to formalise IPC leadership roles within health systems, ensure proper recognition and resources, and incorporate psychosocial support measures to enhance pandemic preparedness and response capacity worldwide.

Single-visit versus multiple-visit root canal therapy: Post-endodontic pain outcomes from an umbrella review.

Antimicrobial Stewardship for the Infection Control Professional: Mutual Collaboration for Mutual Benefit.

Cold atmospheric plasma in burn treatment: A review of experimental evidence and future clinical translatability.

First cluster of relapsing fever compatible with louse-borne transmission in southern Saudi Arabia: An eight-case series from Najran.

High-performance hydrogels in orthopedics: Structural design, performance tuning, and clinical potential.

Understanding antimicrobial susceptibility patterns is essential for guiding clinical management and informing surveillance strategies. This study aimed to analyse antimicrobial susceptibility trends of WHO-designated critical Gram-negative pathogens in Fijian hospitals. We conducted a retrospective study of antimicrobial susceptibility among Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from three hospitals in Fiji from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2021. Data were stratified by hospital, hospital setting, and specimen type. Only the first isolate per patient was included. Chi-square tests and linear regression were used to assess group differences and temporal trends. A total of 44 524 isolates were analysed: K. pneumoniae 17 016 (38.2%), E. coli 14 935 (33.5%), P. aeruginosa 6632 (14.9%), and A. baumannii 5941 (13.3%). Specimens included blood 4612 (10.4%), urine 13 369 (30.0%), and other types 26 543 (59.6%). Meropenem susceptibility declined significantly in A. baumannii (60.4% to 40.8%, P = 0.0004) and P. aeruginosa (100% to 40.8%, P = 0.005). Ceftriaxone susceptibility was low in E. coli (49.8%) and K. pneumoniae (32.7%). Meropenem susceptibility remained high in K. pneumoniae (96.6% in 2021) and E. coli (>80%). ESBL production was identified in 18.2% of E. coli and 37.6% of K. pneumoniae. These findings highlight substantial AMR challenges in Fijian hospitals, including declining carbapenem susceptibility and high ceftriaxone resistance, underscoring the need for strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, infection control, and surveillance systems.

Biomedical textiles for wound care and healing applications

Global prevalence and risk factors of human trichinellosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Intranasal delivery of a live attenuated vaccine confers efficient protection against Riemerella anatipestifer serotype 1 in ducklings.

Schinus weinmanniifolia Mart. ex Engl. (aroeira-rasteira) is a native plant of Brazilian biodiversity. Among Indigenous peoples, the infusion of its leaves is used to relieve sore throats and inflammation. This practice reflects the reliance on traditional medicine in regions with limited access to conventional healthcare. To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract of S. weinmanniifolia leaves (AESW) against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), and its effects on bacterial biofilms. The extract was obtained by infusion and characterized by HPLC-DAD. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration assay, kill time, and enzymatic inhibition were performed, in addition to in vitro and ex vivo antibiofilm activity evaluations. AESW inhibited S. aureus and MRSA at concentrations ranging from 125 to 250μg/mL and exhibited bactericidal effects at 250μg/mL after 8h of treatment. In addition, it reduced DNase and coagulase activities, indicating action on virulence factors associated with cutaneous pathogenesis. In antibiofilm assays, the extract inhibited up to 90% of biofilm formation and reduced the viability of mature biofilms by 70%. In the ex vivo biological model (porcine skin), it inhibited 96% of biofilm formation and reduced 99% of pre-established biofilms after 8h of treatment. These effects were associated with the presence of gallic acid, a phenolic compound reported to possess antimicrobial potential. The extract proved to be a promising alternative for controlling S. aureus, including resistant strains, acting effectively against both planktonic cells and biofilms, reinforcing its therapeutic potential.

Decolonizing infection prevention and control.

Investigation of a pseudo-outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia complex caused by contaminated phosphate-buffered saline.

To determine the international availability of practice guidelines, training in and method used for the reprocessing of endocavity (EC) ultrasound transducers post-EC scan. A series of six questions were developed via Survey Monkey relating to the use of EC transducers. Questions included country of practice and type of EC ultrasounds performed, use of transducer covers for EC ultrasound examinations, availability of infection prevention guidelines, availability of training in the reprocessing of ultrasound EC transducers, and type of transducer reprocessing used. The anonymous survey was launched in May 2024 and was open for 6 mo via the WFUMB website. There were 1436 respondents from 105 countries, with 37% of respondents having access to guidelines for infection prevention and control (IPC) and 46% receiving training in reprocessing EC transducers post-use. High-level disinfection was the preferred reprocessing method for 40% of respondents. This survey was an important adjunct to the previous WFUMB IPC survey conducted in 2016, which revealed significant differences in IPC practices throughout the world. The results of this new survey reflect that, internationally, many ultrasound users still do not have access to infection prevention guidelines, nor training in the use of their chosen transducer cleaning/disinfection methods. Inadequate reprocessing of EC ultrasound transducers increases the possibility of transmission of bacteria and viruses, such as human papillomavirus and HIV, and puts patient safety at risk.

In vitro bactericidal and fungicidal activities of commercially available low-irritant hand sanitizers.