Steam disinfection of toothbrushes from patients with cystic fibrosis: Evidence‐based recommendations

Millar, B. Cherie; Maguire, Mollie; Moore, Rachel E.; Murphy, Alan; McCaughan, J.; Stirling, Jonathan; Moore, John E.

doi:10.1002/ppul.24994

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Not only may these pathogens be present, but it has been recorded that poor oral hygiene procedures may induce cardiovascular disease since periodontal pathogens can infiltrate the circulatory system through injuries in the mouth [21]. Other chronic pathologies associated with poor oral hygiene include cystic fibrosis [22]. Also, it has been reported that some pathogens that colonize toothbrushes may express antimicrobial resistance genes, which can lead to health complications if those microorganisms infiltrate the circulatory system [23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hygienic Practices and Level of Contamination in Toothbrushes at Mexican Homes in Guadalajara, Jalisco

Garay-Martínez,

Betancourt-Cortés,

Reyes-Castellanos

et al. 2024

Hygiene

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In the present study, a Google Forms survey open questionnaire was applied to identify variables in hygiene habits that influence the contamination of toothbrushes in Mexican homes. A total of 275 questionnaires were validated, and 18 samples were analyzed to determine microbiology indicator groups (Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria [MAB], Coliform Organisms [CO], and Yeast and Molds [Y/M]) with dilution and plate casting methods. Results were compared with data obtained from surveys, which were encoded to construct conglomerates. Interestingly, a higher microbial count was found in toothbrushes stored in cases (4.9 × 109 CFU/mL for MAB, 4.43 × 109 CFU/mL for CO, and 4.38 × 109 CFU/mL for Y/M), while the use and disposal of toothbrushes following recommendations of life expectancy limited bacterial growth (<10 CFU/mL for CO and Y/M), reducing the possible growth of pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas, among others. Finally, most people do not have the habit of disinfecting their toothbrushes periodically. Further, the survey revealed that disinfection techniques applied by a limited group (14% of the respondents) are improvised and are not standardized with the objective of disinfection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hygienic Practices and Level of Contamination in Toothbrushes at Mexican Homes in Guadalajara, Jalisco

Garay-Martínez,

Betancourt-Cortés,

Reyes-Castellanos

et al. 2024

Hygiene

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“…Until recently, baby bottle steam disinfectors have only provided a steam disinfection cycle, which has left the disinfected items wet from the steam condensate created during the disinfection cycle. Steam disinfection has become popular both in hospital and with patients at home and is recommended for the disinfection of nebulizer devices in patients with cystic fibrosis (Bell et al, 2020) and for the disinfection of toothbrushes (Millar et al, 2020). More recently, steam disinfector devices have been produced to dry excess moisture from devices and fomites following disinfection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…BB1022-GS; 220–240V; 50–60 Hz; 650W; Nuby UK Ltd. Tyne & Wear, UK) domestic steam disinfector-drier device was employed in this study. Thermal performance of this device has recently been described (Millar et al, 2021). The device consists of five components, namely, the base (containing in-built fans), main body, lower tray, upper tray, and lid.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a Domestic Steam Disinfector-Dryer Device for Disinfection of Health Care Workers’ Identification Lanyards

Millar

Moore

2021

Workplace Health Saf

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Background Fabric lanyards are commonly worn by health care workers (HCWs) and are known to harbor infectious organisms and contribute to the transmission of infection to HCWs and patients. A diverse range of nosocomial pathogens have been found on lanyards, but there are very few studies describing how to successfully disinfect lanyards to break the chain of transmission. Recently, a steam disinfector-dryer device has come on the market, which performs rapid disinfection against nosocomial pathogens and also dries the contents of the device. It was the aim of this study to evaluate steam disinfection-drying as a method to eliminate pathogens from lanyards. Methods Thirty-eight strips of new, unused, and autoclaved polyester neck lanyards (4 × 2 cm) were inoculated with 30 (12 Gram-positive + 18 Gram-negative) bacteria and one yeast organism. The inoculated lanyard fabric (five organisms per lanyard strip) was placed into a steam disinfector-dryer device and disinfected for 5 minutes and dried for 30 minutes, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Following disinfection and drying, the presence of viable organisms on lanyard fabric was evaluated using enhanced microbiological broth culture methods for 48 hours. Control lanyard strips were treated with organisms and left at room temperature without undergoing disinfection and drying procedures. Findings Steam disinfection-drying eradicated all test organisms from treated lanyards, with no culturable organisms detected following disinfection-drying, even when employing enhanced bacteriological culture conditions. All test organisms remained viable on the control lanyards. Conclusion/Application to Practice Steam disinfection-drying offers a simple method of decontaminating lanyards, producing dry lanyards for immediate reuse. Occupational health practitioners and hospitals should consider assessing the feasibility of adopting this method in their settings to aid in breaking the chain of transmission of nosocomial pathogens via contaminated lanyards.

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“…Recently, Australian consensus guidelines stratified various activities and exposures by risk; a summary of high risk exposures are provided in Table 4[37 ▪▪ ]. Finally, new studies have demonstrated successful steam disinfection of household items such as toothbrushes and cookware [38,39]. These measures are targeted primarily toward families with multiple children with cystic fibrosis, in whom shared strains are common.…”

Section: Potential Role Of Infection Prevention and Control In Nonhea...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential opportunities and challenges for infection prevention and control for cystic fibrosis in the modern era

Murray

Saiman

2022

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases

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Purpose of reviewWe describe recent changes in care for people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) that could impact infection prevention and control (IP&C) practices.Recent findingsCurrent IP&C guidelines primarily aim to prevent acquisition and transmission of pathogens in PwCF utilizing evidence-based recommendations for healthcare settings. Currently, highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) is dramatically improving the clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis and reducing pulmonary exacerbations and hospitalizations. Thus, it is feasible that long-term, sustained improvements in pulmonary manifestations of cystic fibrosis could favorably alter cystic fibrosis microbiology. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of virtual care, enabling PwCF to spend less time in healthcare settings and potentially reduce the risk of acquiring cystic fibrosis pathogens. The increasing use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) shows great promise in elucidating sources of cystic fibrosis pathogens, shared strains, and epidemic strains and ultimately could allow the cystic fibrosis community to monitor the safety of changed IP&C practices, if deemed appropriate. Finally, given the nonhealthcare environmental reservoirs for cystic fibrosis pathogens, practical guidance can inform PwCF and their families about potential risks and mitigation strategies.SummaryNew developments in the treatment of PwCF, a shift toward virtual care delivery of care, and use of WGS could change future IP&C practices.

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Steam disinfection of toothbrushes from patients with cystic fibrosis: Evidence‐based recommendations

Cited by 8 publications

References 33 publications

Hygienic Practices and Level of Contamination in Toothbrushes at Mexican Homes in Guadalajara, Jalisco

Hygienic Practices and Level of Contamination in Toothbrushes at Mexican Homes in Guadalajara, Jalisco

Evaluation of a Domestic Steam Disinfector-Dryer Device for Disinfection of Health Care Workers’ Identification Lanyards

Potential opportunities and challenges for infection prevention and control for cystic fibrosis in the modern era

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