Use Of Chemical Disinfectants Research Articles

SIMULARE NUMERICĂ A INFLUENȚEI UNOR PARAMETRI GEOMETRICI ASUPRA CALITATII DECONTAMINARII UNUI RECEPTOR DE TIP NON-LAMBERTIAN, UTILIZAND O MATRICE DE LED-uri UV-C

The ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been studied and used in the recent decades as a mean to inactivate various potentially harmful microorganisms, being considered an effective treatment that could limit or even avoid the use of chemical disinfectants. Within the wavelength spectrum of UV radiation, the UV-C radiation wavelength ranging between 200 and 280 nm is considered lethal to most types of microorganisms. In this paper it was studied the variation of the distribution of radiation's intensity generated by a matrix of 25 UV-C LEDs (5 x 5), (assimilated to the LED panel above a stationary conveyor), on a spherical surface (assimilated to a berry) positioned in reprezentative locations below the matrix. A fruit located under the irradiation matrix receives the strongest radiation from the LED located at the smallest distance from it, but is influenced, as a result of the superposition principle, to a lesser extent by the other LEDs within the network. It has been found that for a too small distance between the matrix of LEDs and the conveyor, the radiation dose is uneven on the surface of fruit, and by increasing this distance a radiation distribution much more uniform is obtained, but at the expense of a decrease in its intensity and an increase in the time required for irradiation, implicitly leading to an increase in operating costs. In conclusion, for the most efficient operation of the equipment, a compromise solution must be chosen.

Prospects for the use of probiotic organisms to develop alternative strategies for disinfection and prevention of infectious diseases

Introduction: An important feature of microorganisms is the ability to adapt to adverse external influences, including the development of multiple antimicrobial resistance, leading to such negative consequences for humans as nosocomial infections, problems with cleaning rooms, medical and industrial equipment. The active use of chemical disinfectants for high-quality disinfection and cleaning has a number of disadvantages, including the risks of pathogens with new mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobial agents. The search for new, effective and safe antimicrobial agents as an alternative to chemical disinfectants is relevant. The use of probiotic strains of microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria, in this capacity may be a promising area of research.Objective: to analyze the literature data on studies of the potential of probiotic organisms, including lactic acid bacteria, to develop alternative disinfection and prevention strategies.Materials and methods: This review of the subject field has been prepared based on the guiding principles of PRISMA-ScR. SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and RSCI databases were used. The works in Russian and English were considered, for the period 1995-2023.Results: The review included 89 articles exploring the disadvantages of traditional disinfection methods and the search for alternative sanitation strategies. The description of various solutions for the introduction of probiotic purification methods is systematized – using bacteriophages, probiotic microorganisms of R. Bacillus and representatives of lactic acid bacteria as active agents.Conclusions: A system of sanitary measures based on probiotic biodesinfectants, including lactic acid bacteria, can be included among the tools for countering pathogens, including their biofilms and forms with multidrug resistance. The introduction of a probiotic hygienic cleaning system, without having a negative impact on the environment, can increase the effectiveness of traditional hygienic preventive measures both in medical institutions and in production.

Trihalomethanes in developed and developing countries.

The reactions between natural organic matter, anthropogenic contaminants, ions, and disinfectants lead to the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) such as trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water. The formation of THMs is strongly related to the chlorination of water. The study's central objective was to compare the concentration of THMs in twenty developed and developing countries and their disinfection techniques. The THM concentration in 11 developed and 9 developing countries ranged from 0.5 µg/L (Germany) to 215 µg/L (Russia) and 3 µg/L (China) to 439.2 µg/L (Bangladesh), respectively. The developed country has partially succeeded in reducing THM concentration in drinking water, whereas significant steps are needed in developing countries to reduce the existing high THM concentration. The concentration of THMs in water varies among these countries because of the different water sources, water quality, environmental conditions, and efficiency of water treatment technologies. A meaningful relationship has been observed between the properties of water and the THM formation. The use of chemical disinfectants will result in new forms of DBPs that are undesirable due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on human health. The DBP guidelines by various national and international agencies have helped to control and manage the THM concentration in drinking water. However, these regulatory standards are not continuously monitored. Therefore, the formation of these compounds should be prevented either by removing THMs forming precursors or by using an integrated approach for controlling THM formation by implementing advanced water treatment technology. Extensive research is desirable in domains like THM minimization strategies which are easy to deploy, scalable, and cost-effective.

Shaping the subway microbiome through probiotic-based sanitation during the COVID-19 emergency: a pre–post case–control study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the extent to which the public transportation environment, such as in subways, may be important for the transmission of potential pathogenic microbes among humans, with the possibility of rapidly impacting large numbers of people. For these reasons, sanitation procedures, including massive use of chemical disinfection, were mandatorily introduced during the emergency and remain in place. However, most chemical disinfectants have temporary action and a high environmental impact, potentially enhancing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of the treated microbes. By contrast, a biological and eco-sustainable probiotic-based sanitation (PBS) procedure was recently shown to stably shape the microbiome of treated environments, providing effective and long-term control of pathogens and AMR spread in addition to activity against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Our study aims to assess the applicability and impact of PBS compared with chemical disinfectants based on their effects on the surface microbiome of a subway environment.ResultsThe train microbiome was characterized by both culture-based and culture-independent molecular methods, including 16S rRNA NGS and real-time qPCR microarray, for profiling the train bacteriome and its resistome and to identify and quantify specific human pathogens. SARS-CoV-2 presence was also assessed in parallel using digital droplet PCR. The results showed a clear and significant decrease in bacterial and fungal pathogens (p < 0.001) as well as of SARS-CoV-2 presence (p < 0.01), in the PBS-treated train compared with the chemically disinfected control train. In addition, NGS profiling evidenced diverse clusters in the population of air vs. surface while demonstrating the specific action of PBS against pathogens rather than the entire train bacteriome.ConclusionsThe data presented here provide the first direct assessment of the impact of different sanitation procedures on the subway microbiome, allowing a better understanding of its composition and dynamics and showing that a biological sanitation approach may be highly effective in counteracting pathogens and AMR spread in our increasingly urbanized and interconnected environment.2f-kwnMvWGEoeLQ9ACdzrQVideo

Fe-Fe Double-Atom Catalysts for Murine Coronavirus Disinfection: Nonradical Activation of Peroxides and Mechanisms of Virus Inactivation.

Peroxides find broad applications for disinfecting environmental pathogens particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the extensive use of chemical disinfectants can threaten human health and ecosystems. To achieve robust and sustainable disinfection with minimal adverse impacts, we developed Fe single-atom and Fe-Fe double-atom catalysts for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The Fe-Fe double-atom catalyst supported on sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride outperformed other catalysts for oxidation, and it activated PMS likely through a nonradical route of catalyst-mediated electron transfer. This Fe-Fe double-atom catalyst enhanced PMS disinfection kinetics for inactivating murine coronaviruses (i.e., murine hepatitis virus strain A59 (MHV-A59)) by 2.17-4.60 times when compared to PMS treatment alone in diverse environmental media including simulated saliva and freshwater. The molecular-level mechanism of MHV-A59 inactivation was also elucidated. Fe-Fe double-atom catalysis promoted the damage of not only viral proteins and genomes but also internalization, a key step of virus lifecycle in host cells, for enhancing the potency of PMS disinfection. For the first time, our study advances double-atom catalysis for environmental pathogen control and provides fundamental insights of murine coronavirus disinfection. Our work paves a new avenue of leveraging advanced materials for improving disinfection, sanitation, and hygiene practices and protecting public health.

Photopattern-Directed Electrodeposition of Microstructured Copper for Antibacterial Surface Coatings

The development of electrodeposited surfaces with antiviral or antibacterial properties is a critical need in light of the realities of current and future pandemics. Increased use of chemical disinfectants represents a growing environmental problem, and in many cases threatens the surface finish of decontaminated products. To engineer new solutions to this problem, we can mimic biological systems that exhibit self-cleaning or bactericidal properties. In nature, surface morphology at the micro- and nanoscale are known to dramatically affect the adhesion of microorganisms and viral particles. These kinds of defined patterns and textures may be realized artificially through directed electrodeposition of transition metals from aqueous solution onto material surfaces of interest. In this work, we demonstrate the generation of such surfaces, enabled by the coating of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkoxysilanes and alkylphosphonates onto mild steel. Photo-induced monolayer patterning (PIMP) has been employed to selectively generate defect sites in these molecular photomasks, characterized by contact angle (CA) measurements, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The electrolytic deposition of copper from aqueous solution onto the exposed steel in our photopatterned systems has been shown to result in variable surface microstructure. In addition, we will discuss biological assays to determine bacterial viability on the finished steel/copper surface.

Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic Using 3D Printed PPE: Challenges and Recommendations

Background: The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March of 2020. As traditional respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE) was in severe shortage, communities turned to 3D printing to provide printed PPE alternatives; however, certain hurdles need to be addressed to ensure the safety of users. Objective: One main consideration when dealing with 3D printed parts is the presence of pores. Several studies have found the diameter of these pores to range widely from as little as 10µm to over 150 µm, making them larger than the droplets and nuclei through which the virus is transmitted. Methods: Researchers found that altering print settings, such as increasing the extrusion multiplier, may decrease the size and number of these perforating pores. Other challenges include the variable reproducibility of printed PPE, which may be remedied through printer calibration. Storage and sterilization are also a challenge as most 3D printed plastics do not tolerate disinfection methods, such as autoclaves. The use of chemical disinfectants is recommended instead. The rigidity of printed plastics may compromise the fit of masks for varying users. Using 3D scanning may provide personalized masks that seal appropriately. Results: One final issue is the prolonged interaction with 3D printers of inexperienced users, predisposing them to the respiratory tract and skin irritation; thus, adequate ventilation and protection are mandatory. Conclusion: Documenting the benefits and drawbacks of this form of PPE production carries great significance in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as any future public health emergencies.

Permanent, Antimicrobial Coating to Rapidly Kill and Prevent Transmission of Bacteria, Fungi, Influenza, and SARS-CoV-2.

Microbial adhesion and contamination on shared surfaces can lead to life-threatening infections with serious impacts on public health, economy, and clinical practices. The traditional use of chemical disinfectants for sanitization of surfaces, however, comes with its share of health risks, such as hazardous effects on the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, carcinogenicity, as well as environmental toxicity. To address this, we have developed a nonleaching quaternary small molecule (QSM)-based sprayable coating which can be fabricated on a wide range of surfaces such as nylon, polyethylene, surgical mask, paper, acrylate, and rubber in a one-step, photocuring technique. This contact-active coating killed pathogenic bacteria and fungi including drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans within 15-30 min of contact. QSM coatings withstood multiple washes, highlighting their durability. Interestingly, the coated surfaces exhibited rapid killing of pathogens, leading to the prevention of their transmission upon contact. The coating showed membrane disruption of bacterial cells in fluorescence and electron microscopic investigations. Along with bacteria and fungi, QSM-coated surfaces also showed the complete killing of high loads of influenza (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2 viruses within 30 min of exposure. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a coating for multipurpose materials applied in high-touch public places, hospital equipment, and clinical consumables, rapidly killing drug-resistant bacteria, fungi, influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2.

Possibilities of Microbial Biofilm Inhibition

Microbial biofilm is a major source of problems and microbial contamination across the industrial production, for example in pharmacy, agriculture or food industry, but also in healthcare. One of the possible solutions to this problem is the inhibition of its formation or eradication of the already formed biofilm. There are many ways to achieve this goal. This review article focuses on the use of chemical disinfectants, antibiotics or biologically active natural substances.

Pathogen Control in the Built Environment: A Probiotic-Based System as a Remedy for the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance.

The high and sometimes inappropriate use of disinfectants and antibiotics has led to alarming levels of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and to high water and hearth pollution, which today represent major threats for public health. Furthermore, the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has deeply influenced our sanitization habits, imposing the massive use of chemical disinfectants potentially exacerbating both concerns. Moreover, super-sanitation can profoundly influence the environmental microbiome, potentially resulting counterproductive when trying to stably eliminate pathogens. Instead, environmentally friendly procedures based on microbiome balance principles, similar to what applied to living organisms, may be more effective, and probiotic-based eco-friendly sanitation has been consistently reported to provide stable reduction of both pathogens and AMR in treated-environments, compared to chemical disinfectants. Here, we summarize the results of the studies performed in healthcare settings, suggesting that such an approach may be applied successfully also to non-healthcare environments, including the domestic ones, based on its effectiveness, safety, and negligible environmental impact.

Efectos de los desinfectantes químicos sobre la dureza superficial de las resinas acrílicas termocuradas. Estudio in vitro

Introduction: Acrylic resins (i.e., heat cured acrylic resins) are the most common materials used to manufacture removable dental prostheses involving maxillofacial prostheses such as obturators. Their mechanical and physical properties must be adequate for their use and durability. It is therefore vital to assess how their properties are affected by different disinfectants. Aims: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of chemical disinfectants on surface hardness of the acrylic resins. Material and Methods: Forty specimens (65 mm in length, 10 mm in width and 2.5 mm thick) were manufactured from heat cured acrylic resins for hardness testing according to ISO 1567:1999. The study consisted of four main sets according to the disinfectants applied (control, 1% hypochlorite, 4 % chlorhexidine, and Efferdent®) and each set contained ten specimens. All specimens were placed in saline solution at 37°C and incubated for 60 days. Acrylic specimens were then tested by using a hardness tester three times and the average reading was recorded. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. The results were analyzed at a significant level (p≤0.05). The ANOVA (analysis of variance) test was used to assess whether there were any significant differences among all groups. The comparisons between means were obtained by using a Tukey test. Results: There was a slight decrease in the mean values of surface hardness after immersing in chemical disinfectants. The chlorhexidine-assigned specimens had the lowest value of mean surface hardness. On the other hand, the control group had the highest mean value. However, there were no significant differences regarding surface hardness among all groups (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The use of chemical disinfectants slightly decreases the surface hardness of heat-cured acrylic resins.

Potential of citrus extract as disinfectant in SARS-CoV-2 prevention

&lt;p&gt;SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, responsible for the second pandemic of the 21st century. This virus has caused a health emergency due to its rapid transmission and high mortality rate. The use of disinfectants of chemical origin has increased considerably to avoid contamination by SARS-CoV-2 but when used incorrectly they can pose a health risk. Citrus-based extracts have shown effectiveness in controlling the development of fungi and bacteria in&lt;em&gt; in vitro&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; studies. In &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; cell assays, citrus extracts are effective in controlling the replication of disease-causing viruses. The objective of this review is to describe the problem of COVID-19, its transmission mechanisms, the use of chemical disinfectants and citrus extracts to control microorganisms and its suggested use as a complement in COVID-19 prevention. The use of citrus extracts has certain advantages such as biodegradability and low health risks. Thus, they could be a viable alternative to be used as a complement in the management and prevention of the spread of SARS-CoV-2.&lt;/p&gt;

Comparative Analysis The Effect of Iodine, Ozone, and Peracetic Acid as A Disinfectant of Cantang Grouper Egg

Problems in the fish hatchery sector often occur such as high egg mortality or low quality of fish eggs. Optimizing biosecurity is one of the efforts to improve the quality of fish eggs, for example by adding disinfectants such as iodine, ozone, and peracetic acid. The use of chemical disinfectants will produce good results if the right dose, time, and commodity are used. In this study. This research aims (1) to determine whether the use of chemicals including iodine, ozone, and peracetic acid had an effect as a disinfectant to increase the hatching rate of grouper fish, (2) to determine the level of effectiveness and efficiency of the use of chemicals as a disinfectant. This research is an experimental research type. The research subjects included in the study were cantang grouper fish eggs at PT. Pakarti Daksa Segara who used the exploratory sampling method. The conclusion of this study indicates that there is an influence on the growth rate of the use of iodine, ozone and, peracetic acid chemicals as disinfectants of cantang grouper eggs and there is a comparison of the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of the three chemicals which includes the percentage of the hatching rate, the cost of the disinfectant material and the time, which is needed in the use of the disinfectant. Iodine has the best level of effectiveness from the comparison of hatching eggs of cantang grouper and peracetic acid is the most efficient type of chemical.

ORANGE PEEL AND JAVA SUGAR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO NATURAL DISINFECTANT IN COVID-19 PREVENTION EFFORTS IN THE TOBACCO FARMING AREA, COASTAL AREA, JEMBER DISTRICT

Jember Regency is one of those with a thriving agricultural sector. The main commodity produced by the agricultural sector of the tobacco district of Jember. However, the communities in the tobacco farming region tend to lack a knowledge level, especially in the COVID-19 case. This made the farmer less able to share COVID-19 with their children who were the generation of nations so that the children's knowledge of the farmer became inferior. In the time of new adaptation habits, communities needed a COVID-19 preventive and countermeasure measure by periodic self-infection. Because of restrictions on the use of chemical disinfectants, researchers replaced them with natural ingredients for the peel of an orange and sugar from Java. The purpose of this research is to empower societies to increase awareness, will, and ability in raising degrees of health by educating children early in life so that they can benefit themselves, their families, and their environment. The methods used in this research are descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The results obtained from this study are an increased audience knowledge and skill in the making of natural disinfectant as one of the COVID-19 prevention efforts.

Beach Tourism in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic: Critical Issues, Knowledge Gaps and Research Opportunities.

The strict quarantine measures employed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic have led the global tourism industry to a complete halt, disrupting the livelihoods of millions. The economic importance of beach tourism for many destinations has led many governments to reopen tourist beaches, as soon as the number of infection cases decreased. The objective of this paper is to provide a scientific basis for understanding the key issues for beach tourism management in these circumstances. These issues include risk perception, environmental considerations directly related to beaches and COVID-19, and management strategies designed to limit the risk of contagion on the beach. The contribution of this paper lies in its interdisciplinary approach to delivering the findings from the latest studies, highly relevant for beach tourism, in psychology, health science, and environmental science (often in preprint and in press format). Particular attention was given to identifying the knowledge gaps evident in the areas of COVID-19 risk perception, with the drivers explaining the risk-taking behavior and the protective strategies employed by beachgoers. Gaps were also found in areas such as the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in bathing waters and the sand, the potential of contaminated sand being a viable route of transmission, and the impact of the use of chemical disinfectants on the marine environment and on bathers. The paper identifies research prospects in these areas, additionally pointing out other questions such as new carrying capacity methods, the opportunity given by COVID-19 in estimation of the impacts of visitation and beach-litter.

Chemical disinfectants of COVID-19: an overview.

The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to a broad use of chemical disinfectants in order to sterilize public spaces and prevent contamination. This paper surveys the chemicals that are effective in deactivating the virus and their mode of action. It presents the different chemical classes of disinfectants and identifies the chemical features of these compounds that pertain to their biocidal activity, relevant to surface/water disinfection.

Association of Occupational Exposure to Disinfectants With Incidence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among US Female Nurses

Exposure to disinfectants in health care workers has been associated with respiratory health outcomes, including asthma. Despite the biological plausibility of an association between disinfectants (irritant chemicals) and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), available data are sparse. To investigate the association between exposure to disinfectants and COPD incidence in a large cohort of US female nurses. The Nurses' Health Study II is a US prospective cohort study of 116 429 female registered nurses from 14 US states who were enrolled in 1989 and followed up through questionnaires every 2 years since. The present study included women who were still in a nursing job and had no history of COPD in 2009, and used data from the 2009 through 2015 questionnaires. Clean and complete data used for this analysis were available in July 2018, and analyses were conducted from September 2018 through August 2019. Occupational exposure to disinfectants, evaluated by questionnaire and a job-task-exposure matrix (JTEM). Incident physician-diagnosed COPD evaluated by questionnaire. Among the 73 262 women included in the analyses, mean (SD) age at baseline was 54.7 (4.6) years and 70 311 (96.0%) were white, 1235 (1.7%) black, and 1716 (2.3%) other; and 1345 (1.8%) Hispanic, and 71 917 (98.2%) non-Hispanic. Based on 368 145 person-years of follow-up, 582 nurses reported incident physician-diagnosed COPD. Weekly use of disinfectants to clean surfaces only (16 786 [22.9%] of participants exposed) and to clean medical instruments (13 899 [19.0%] exposed) was associated with COPD incidence, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.38 (95% CI, 1.13-1.68) for cleaning surfaces only and 1.31 (95% CI, 1.07-1.61) for cleaning medical instruments after adjustment for age, smoking (pack-years), race, ethnicity, and body mass index. High-level exposure, evaluated by the JTEM, to several specific disinfectants (ie, glutaraldehyde, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and quaternary ammonium compounds) was significantly associated with COPD incidence, with adjusted hazard ratios ranging from 1.25 (95% CI, 1.04-1.51) to 1.36 (95% CI, 1.13-1.64). Associations were not modified by smoking or asthma status (P for interaction > .15). These longitudinal results suggest that regular use of chemical disinfectants among nurses may be a risk factor for developing COPD. If future studies confirm these results, exposure-reduction strategies that are compatible with infection control in health care settings should be developed.

Going Viral: Emerging Opportunities for Phage-Based Bacterial Control in Water Treatment and Reuse.

Water security to protect human lives and support sustainable development is one of the greatest global challenges of this century. While a myriad of water pollutants can impact public health, the greatest threat arises from pathogenic bacteria that can be harbored in different components of water treatment, distribution, and reuse systems. Bacterial biofilms can also promote water infrastructure corrosion and biofouling, which substantially increase the cost and complexity of many critical operations. Conventional disinfection and microbial control approaches are often insufficient to keep up with the increasing complexity and renewed relevance of this pressing challenge. For example, common disinfectants cannot easily penetrate and eradicate biofilms, and are also relatively ineffective against resistant microorganisms. The use of chemical disinfectants is also curtailed by regulations aimed at minimizing the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts. Furthermore, disinfectants cannot be used to kill problematic bacteria in biological treatment processes without upsetting system performance. This underscores the need for novel, more precise, and more sustainable microbial control technologies. Bacteriophages (phages), which are viruses that exclusively infect bacteria, are the most abundant (and perhaps the most underutilized) biological resource on Earth, and hold great promise for targeting problematic bacteria. Although phages should not replace broad-spectrum disinfectants in drinking water treatment, they offer great potential for applications where selective targeting of problematic bacteria is warranted and antimicrobial chemicals are either relatively ineffective or their use would result in unintended detrimental consequences. Promising applications for phage-based biocontrol include selectively suppressing bulking and foaming bacteria that hinder activated sludge clarification, mitigating proliferation of antibiotic resistant strains in biological wastewater treatment systems where broad-spectrum antimicrobials would impair pollutant biodegradation, and complementing biofilm eradication efforts to delay corrosion and biofouling. Phages could also mitigate harmful cyanobacteria blooms that produce toxins in source waters, and could also serve as substitutes for the prophylactic use of antibiotics and biocides in animal agriculture to reduce their discharge to source waters and the associated selective pressure for resistant bacteria. Here, we consider the phage life cycle and its implications for bacterial control, and elaborate on the biochemical basis of such potential application niches in the water supply and reuse cycle. We also discuss potential technological barriers for phage-based bacterial control and suggest strategies and research needs to overcome them.

Efficacy of a terpinen-4-ol based dipping for post-milking teat disinfection in the prevention of mastitis in dairy sheep

ABSTRACTMastitis is the main cause of antibiotic use in dairy sheep. Post-milking teat disinfection is adopted to prevent intra-mammary infections. Use of chemical disinfectants is associated with biocide and antibiotic resistance. Terpinen-4-ol (T-4-ol), component of the Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil, shows antibacterial properties without inducing resistance. Aim of the trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a T-4-ol post-dipping compound in preventing bacterial mastitis in dairy sheep. In two different farms, two groups of 35 ewes were recruited as experimental and control arm (exposed to chlorhexidine-based disinfectant). No differences were observed during the follow-up. In one livestock, during the first year, 30-day incidence of mastitis was significantly lower in the T-4-ol group. Post-milking teat disinfection with T-4-ol showed equivalent efficacy in terms of mastitis incidence. Disinfectants based on natural compounds for mastitis prevention could potentially reduce environmental pollution, avoid drug residues in milk and decrease the antimicrobial resistance development.

PROBIOTIC-BASED SANITATION AS ALTERNATIVES TO CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS

It is known that any surfaces in environment of healthcare organizations are a reservoir for microorganisms and contribute to transmission of pathogens, increasing the risk of cross-contamination through indirect contact with the patient. Wide and not always rational use of chemical disinfectants carries risks for the safety of the environment, the patient and medical staff. In this regard, there remains the search for alternative methods of purification and decontamination of abiotic surfaces in health care facilities. Tested the tool for cleaning areas that contain 3 strains of the genus Bacillus: B. subtillis, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus. Were treated areas of the medical centre in St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute: the treatment room (experience) and the office of the gynecologist (control with conventional cleaning and disinfection). Within 30 days of the sowing of samples of swabs from surfaces were made of 3 Petri dishes with the “blood” agar-based environment “agar of Givental–Witch” debilitating touch (gold method). Isolated cultures of bacteria identified by microscopy, biochemical typing and MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker). In control and the experience in the 1st day of observation prior to the cleaning sown Enterococcus faecium 104 –105 CFU/ml. The 2nd day of observation in the control was dominated by E. faecium, then his growth stopped. For the 2nd–4th day watched the growth of Enterobacteriaceae to 106 CFU/ml, in the future, the number was 10 CFU/ml until the end of the observation period (30 days). The 5th day in the control revealed the growth of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus spp. mainly S. epidermidis. The experience from the 2nd day of observation revealed a significant increase in Bacillus spp. at 105 CFU/ml, then before the end of the experiment, the number was 102 –103 CFU/ml. In the 1st–2nd day revealed growth of E. faecium, and then it stopped. For the 2nd–4th day watched the growth of Enterobacteriaceae to the level of 106 CFU/ml, on the 8th day — to 102 CFU/ml, the growth of conditionally pathogenic microflora was absent. Cleaning of the premises on the basis of probiotic bacteria of the genus Bacillus inhibits the growth of sanitary-indicative microorganisms compared to control. Thus, the means of probiotic treatment did not have a biocidal effect, but inhabiting the surface, they inhibit the growth and proliferation of opportunistic bacteria.