Potential of an Eco-Sustainable Probiotic-Cleaning Formulation in Reducing Infectivity of Enveloped Viruses

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply influenced sanitization procedures, and high-level disinfection has been massively used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread, with potential negative impact on the environment and on the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Aiming to overcome these concerns, yet preserving the effectiveness of sanitization against enveloped viruses, we assessed the antiviral properties of the Probiotic Cleaning Hygiene System (PCHS), an eco-sustainable probiotic-based detergent previously proven to stably abate pathogen contamination and AMR. PCHS (diluted 1:10, 1:50 and 1:100) was tested in comparison to common disinfectants (70% ethanol and 0.5% sodium hypochlorite), in suspension and carrier tests, according with the European UNI EN 14476:2019 and UNI EN 16777:2019 standards. Human alpha- and beta-coronaviruses hCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2, human herpesvirus type 1, human and animal influenza viruses, and vaccinia virus were included in the study. The results showed that PCHS was able to inactivate 99.99% of all tested viruses within 1–2 h of contact, both in suspension and on surface. Notably, while control disinfectants became inactive within 2 h after application, the PCHS antiviral action persisted up to 24 h post-application, suggesting that its use may effectively allow a continuous prevention of virus spread via contaminated environment, without worsening environmental pollution and AMR concern.

Introduction of Probiotic-Based Sanitation in the Emergency Ward of a Children’s Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“… 1–3 Although fomite transmission is difficult to prove definitively, sanitization measures based on the massive use of chemical disinfectants have been mandatorily introduced worldwide, in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings. 4–6 Indeed, disinfectants’ action is temporary, 7 , 8 allowing the treated surface to be rapidly recontaminated and potentially serve as a source of infection. Furthermore, the widespread use of disinfectants may be itself a threat to human health, negatively affecting water and earth pollution, 9 , 10 and potentially inducing further increases in the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of pathogens known to complicate COVID‐19 clinical care.…”

“… 31 PCHS is characterized by ease of use and low cost, and has recently been proven to inactivate enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, keeping the treated surfaces protected for up to 24 hours. 8 …”

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

“…As mentioned, conventional chemical cleaning shows important limitations, first and foremost the selection of MDR microbes [3,7], together with the temporary action and important environmental impact [13,16]. Similar to what is considered for human beings, where the depletion of commensals is associated with loss of microbial biodiversity and increased risk of disease, whereas restoration of biodiversity enhances health-associated conditions [54], the addition of beneficial microbes may instead enrich the BE microbial community rendering it safer and healthier.…”

“…As a consequence of stable microbiome remodulation, the use of PCHS was associated with a 52% reduction of HAI incidence [108], accompanied by a 60% decrease in HAI-related antimicrobial drugs consumption, and by a 79% decrease in the costs associated with the management of infections [107]. PCHS action was also recently tested against viruses, showing its inactivation ability against different enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (−99.99% within 1 h) [16]. This suggests that PCHS may be effectively used to reduce the risk of virus transmission via the indoor environment, concomitantly avoiding the further selection and spread of the AMR pandemics.…”

“…Indeed, controversies exist about the need of disinfectants instead of cleansers, especially in low-risk healthcare or in non-healthcare environments [11,12], as the excessive use of disinfectants may represent a threat for people [13] and increase water and hearth pollution [14]. Moreover, despite their immediate effectiveness, disinfectants have a temporary effect, as they are not able to prevent recontamination phenomena that occur continuously [15,16] and can favor AMR. Of note, more and more infections sustained by MDR microbes occur in the general population [17], although the incidence is lower compared to that recorded in the hospital, indicating that pathogen contamination and AMR are not concerns limited to healthcare settings but they are spreading even in domestic environments.…”