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

Abstract

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.

Anforderungen an die Hygiene bei der Reinigung und Desinfektion von Flächen

“…Bei Indikation zur Virusdesinfektion ist demzufolge die chemische Desinfektion unverzichtbar. Insgesamt ist der Einsatz von Probiotika auf Flächen in medizinischen Einrichtungen ein interessanter Ansatz, weil anstelle nosokomialer Pathogene probiotische Bakterien ein langfristig stabiles Mikrobiom bilden [312,313], während der Erfolg der Desinfektion nur kurzzeitig anhält [314], wirkstoffabhängig eine Resistenzentwicklung mit Kreuzresistenz gegen Antibiotika sowie eine Gefährdung von Mensch und Umwelt möglich ist. Voraussetzung für eine sichere Anwendung ist die Gewährleistung der mikrobiologischen Produktqualität, weil Fremdkontaminationen nachgewiesen wurden [315].…”

Interspecies relationships between nosocomial pathogens associated to preterm infants and lactic acid bacteria in dual-species biofilms

“…Currently, the use of some LAB strains to minimize the colonization of surfaces by potentially pathogenic species is gaining attention ( Stone et al., 2020 ; D’Accolti et al., 2022 ). The colonization of clinical devices, as NEFTs, by strains of K. pneumoniae and S. marcescens is especially relevant as these microorganisms are frequently associated with outbreaks in NICUs ( Marchant et al., 2013 ; Escribano et al., 2019 ; Moles et al., 2019 ; Chen et al., 2020 ; Hassuna et al., 2020 ; Joubert et al., 2022 ).…”

Positive biofilms to guide surface microbial ecology in livestock buildings

“…strains used as cleaning products on hard surfaces in hospitals can reduce by 50–89% healthcare-associated infections in comparison with conventional cleaning protocols [ 137 ]. The application of positive bacteria on building surfaces is an innovative solution already used in several sectors to control the establishment of microbial pathogens and limit the spread of AMR while reducing the use of toxic chemicals [ 138 , 139 ].…”