Influence of biological fluids in bacterial viability on different hospital surfaces and fomites

Esteves, Deigilam Cestari; Pereira, Valéria Cataneli; Souza, Joyce Marinho de; Keller, Rogéria; Simões, Rebeca Delatore; Winkelströter, Lizziane Kretli; Rodrigues, Marcus Viní­cius Pimenta

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2015.09.033

Cited by 43 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…It is well established that decreasing environmental temperature has a significant impact on the survival of pathogens in soil or water, sometimes leading to bacterial persistence [31][32][33], but whether temperature influences bacterial survival on artificial materials, such as dry fomites in hospitals, remained unknown. Other factors such as UV radiation, humidity, the presence of organic materials, and surface type are known to be associated with the ability of Thermal control of dry fomites and bacterial survival bacteria responsible for hospital-acquired infections to survive on dry surfaces [34][35][36]; however, temperature is a factor that can be easily and accurately controlled. Furthermore, a temperature of 37˚C, which is the core body temperature, is a comfortable temperature that is not harmful to the touch [37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of thermal control of dry fomites on regulating the survival of human pathogenic bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections

et al. 2019

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We monitored the survival of human pathogenic bacteria [Escherichia coli (ATCC), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (Clinical isolate), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-producing E. coli (clinical isolate), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC)] on dry materials (vinyl chloride, aluminum, plastic, stainless steel) at distinct temperatures (room temperature or 15°C–37°C). These bacteria favored a lower temperature for their prolonged survival on the dry fomites, regardless of the material type. Interestingly, when mixed with S. aureus, E. coli survived for a longer time at a lower temperature. Cardiolipin, which can promote the survival of S. aureus in harsh environments, had no effect on maintaining the survival of E. coli. Although the trends remained unchanged, adjusting the humidity from 40% to 60% affected the survival of bacteria on dry surfaces. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed no morphological differences in these bacteria immediately before or after one day of dry conditions. In addition, ATP assessment, a method used to visualize high-touch surfaces in hospitals, was not effective at monitoring bacterial dynamics. A specialized handrail device fitted with a heater, which was maintained at normal human body core temperature, successfully prohibited the prolonged survival of bacteria [Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC), E. coli (ATCC), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC), S. aureus (ATCC), Acinetobacter baumannii (clinical isolate), and Serratia marcescens (clinical isolate)], with the exception of spore-forming Bacillus subtilis (from our laboratory collection) and the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans (from our laboratory collection)] on dry surfaces. Taken together, we concluded that the tested bacteria favor lower temperatures for their survival in dry environments. Therefore, the thermal control of dry fomites has the potential to control bacterial survival on high-touch surfaces in hospitals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of thermal control of dry fomites on regulating the survival of human pathogenic bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections

et al. 2019

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“…Bacterial pathogens can survive and remain viable on inert surfaces and equipment due to their ability to form biofilms and to environmental factors such as surface porosity and humidity [7,25]. This ability to adapt to environmental stress works as a major factor driving pathogen thriving and dissemination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of bacterial contamination of inert hospital surfaces and equipment in critical and non-critical care units: a Brazilian multicenter study

Rodrigues

Peixoto²,

Barros³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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27The hospital environment is an important reservoir of microorganisms, including 28 multidrug-resistant pathogens, which can cause in-patient contamination and healthcare-29 related infections. The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiology of bacterial 30 contamination (contaminated sites, pathogen species and their antimicrobial 31 susceptibility, and tracking of multidrug-resistant microorganisms -MDR) of inert 32 hospital surfaces and medical equipment in two public hospitals in Northern Brazil. 33 This was a cross-sectional study with 243 samples (n = 208, from Hospital A; and n = 35, 34 from Hospital B) collected by friction with swabs moistened in Brain Heart Infusion from 35 inert surfaces and equipment. The samples were cultivated and bacterial species were 36identified by the classical approach and tested for their susceptibility through agar 37 diffusion assay according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). 38Most inert surfaces and equipment analyzed presented bacterial contamination (95.5%). 39Staphylococcus aureus was the main pathogen of clinical significance detected both in 40 Hospital A (61.8%) and B (68.6%). Hospital A showed higher rates of isolated MDR 41 bacteria than Hospital B, especially in the Adult Intensive Care Unit, which included 42 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (52.7%), Enterobacteria resistant to 43 4 th generation cephalosporins (19.4%), and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa 44 (2.78%). The failures in the prevention and control of infections in the two hospitals 45 analyzed reinforce the need for a revised protocol for cleaning and disinfection of inert 46 surfaces and medical equipment, and for regulation of antibiotic dispensing, mainly in the 47 AICU of Hospital A, which was found to be a reservoir of MDR pathogens. This study is 48 innovative because it is the pioneer in Western Bahia that describes the epidemiology of 49 contamination of hospital surfaces, opportuning futures studies in this field. 50 Introduction 51Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a major public health concern 52 commonly associated with extended length of hospital stay. HAI account for high hospital 53 costs and contribute to increased morbidity and mortality of infected patients [1]. 54HAI are usually caused by pathogenic bacteria that may emerge from the patient's 55 endogenous microflora during antibiotic therapy in approximately 70% of the cases [2,3]. 56HAI may also be acquired from the exogenous environment (30% of the cases) in that the 57 hospital setting plays a significant role in contagion and transmission outbreaks [3,4]. 58In the hospital setting, patients, staff and visitors represent the main reservoir of 59 microorganisms, whereas secondary reservoirs include all environments where nutrients, 60 moisture, and temperature are suitable for microbial survival, such as air humidifiers and 61 nebulizers [5,6]. In addition, dry and inanimate surfaces can also serve as a reservoir of 62 pathogens [3,5,7-9], as in mattre...

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“…The principal factors associated with the ability of a nosocomial pathogen to survive on inanimate surfaces and equipment are the specific microorganism characteristics (such as genus, species, specific strain, ability to form biofilm, and microorganism concentration) and the environmental factors (such as UV radiation, temperature, humidity, presence of organic materials, and surface type) [ 38 – 40 ]. Evidence on the capacity to survive in environmental reservoirs has been reported for bacteria ( C. difficile , VRE, MRSA, P. aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Acinetobacter spp.…”

Section: How Bacteria Survive On Inanimate Surfaces and After Termmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Healthcare Workers Should Know about Environmental Bacterial Contamination in the Intensive Care Unit

Russotto

Cortegiani

Fasciana

et al. 2017

BioMed Research International

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Intensive care unit- (ICU-) acquired infections are a major health problem worldwide. Inanimate surfaces and equipment contamination may play a role in cross-transmission of pathogens and subsequent patient colonization or infection. Bacteria contaminate inanimate surfaces and equipment of the patient zone and healthcare area, generating a reservoir of potential pathogens, including multidrug resistant species. Traditional terminal cleaning methods have limitations. Indeed patients who receive a bed from prior patient carrying bacteria are exposed to an increased risk (odds ratio 2.13, 95% confidence intervals 1.62–2.81) of being colonized and potentially infected by the same bacterial species of the previous patient. Biofilm formation, even on dry surfaces, may play a role in reducing the efficacy of terminal cleaning procedures since it enables bacteria to survive in the environment for a long period and provides increased resistance to commonly used disinfectants. No-touch methods (e.g., UV-light, hydrogen peroxide vapour) are under investigation and further studies with patient-centred outcomes are needed, before considering them the standard of terminal cleaning in ICUs. Healthcare workers should be aware of the role of environmental contamination in the ICU and consider it in the broader perspective of infection control measures and stewardship initiatives.

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Influence of biological fluids in bacterial viability on different hospital surfaces and fomites

Cited by 43 publications

References 17 publications

Effect of thermal control of dry fomites on regulating the survival of human pathogenic bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections

Effect of thermal control of dry fomites on regulating the survival of human pathogenic bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections

Epidemiology of bacterial contamination of inert hospital surfaces and equipment in critical and non-critical care units: a Brazilian multicenter study

What Healthcare Workers Should Know about Environmental Bacterial Contamination in the Intensive Care Unit

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