Li-Hua Chen1, Yu Li2, Yong Qi3, Shan-Ni Wang4, Chang-Qing Gao5, Yong Wu6. 1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: chenlihuacc@163.com. 2. Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: 357425029@qq.com. 3. Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: qiyong007@126.com. 4. The Research Center for Medical Sciences, the Third XiangYa Hospital and Center for Scientific Research with Animal Models, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: 625119879@qq.com. 5. The Research Center for Medical Sciences, the Third XiangYa Hospital and Center for Scientific Research with Animal Models, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: cgao851@126.com. 6. Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: wuyong_xy@126.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Biofilm-forming organisms can persist on surfaces in hospital clinical laboratories and potentially lead to nosocomial infections. Therefore, effective decontamination procedures are essential for reducing infections. In this study, we investigated an alternative to often ineffective manual cleaning methods, a pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) light device. We evaluated PX-UV effect on biofilm formation ability of pathogens and also evaluated PX-UV effectiveness on environmental bioburden in clinical laboratories. METHODS: We selected and identified P. aeruginosa PA47, Staphylococcus aureus B1, and K. pnenumoniae CR52 from clinic isolates. Biofilm-forming ability and effectiveness of PX-UV in killing these biofilm forming strains on surfaces was evaluated. The central laboratory, the clinical microbiology laboratory, and the clinical immunology laboratory were chosen for testing environmental bioburden. Air samples and high-touch surface specimens in the three laboratories were obtained before and after routine manual cleaning, and after 6 min of PX-UV disinfection. The cultured microbes were then identified with MALDI- TOF-MS. RESULTS: We found that P. aeruginosa PA47, Staphylococcus aureus B1, and K. pnenumoniae CR52 were able to form robust biofilms, and that PX-UV significantly reduced colony counts of these strains on all surfaces tested. PX-UV reduced the bioburden of air samples and eliminated bioburden on surfaces. All microbes identified in the clinical laboratories were pathogenic and consisted of cocci, rods, and fungi. CONCLUSIONS: The PX-UV device effectively reduced pathogens with biofilm-forming ability on surfaces, and the environmental bioburden was also significantly reduced by PX-UV. PX-UV is a viable option for protecting staff and decreasing rates of laboratory-acquired infections.
BACKGROUND: Biofilm-forming organisms can persist on surfaces in hospital clinical laboratories and potentially lead to nosocomial infections. Therefore, effective decontamination procedures are essential for reducing infections. In this study, we investigated an alternative to often ineffective manual cleaning methods, a pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) light device. We evaluated PX-UV effect on biofilm formation ability of pathogens and also evaluated PX-UV effectiveness on environmental bioburden in clinical laboratories. METHODS: We selected and identified P. aeruginosa PA47, Staphylococcus aureus B1, and K. pnenumoniae CR52 from clinic isolates. Biofilm-forming ability and effectiveness of PX-UV in killing these biofilm forming strains on surfaces was evaluated. The central laboratory, the clinical microbiology laboratory, and the clinical immunology laboratory were chosen for testing environmental bioburden. Air samples and high-touch surface specimens in the three laboratories were obtained before and after routine manual cleaning, and after 6 min of PX-UV disinfection. The cultured microbes were then identified with MALDI- TOF-MS. RESULTS: We found that P. aeruginosa PA47, Staphylococcus aureus B1, and K. pnenumoniae CR52 were able to form robust biofilms, and that PX-UV significantly reduced colony counts of these strains on all surfaces tested. PX-UV reduced the bioburden of air samples and eliminated bioburden on surfaces. All microbes identified in the clinical laboratories were pathogenic and consisted of cocci, rods, and fungi. CONCLUSIONS: The PX-UV device effectively reduced pathogens with biofilm-forming ability on surfaces, and the environmental bioburden was also significantly reduced by PX-UV. PX-UV is a viable option for protecting staff and decreasing rates of laboratory-acquired infections.
Authors: Stefan A Rudhart; Frank Günther; Laura Dapper; Kruthika Thangavelu; Francesca Gehrt; Petar Stankovic; Thomas Wilhelm; Thomas Guenzel; Boris A Stuck; Stephan Hoch Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2020-05-01 Impact factor: 2.503
Authors: Stefan A Rudhart; Frank Günther; Laura Dapper; Kruthika Thangavelu; Urban W Geisthoff; Petar Stankovic; Thomas Wilhelm; Boris A Stuck; Stephan Hoch Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2021-03-13 Impact factor: 2.503
Authors: Stefan A Rudhart; Frank Günther; Laura Dapper; Boris A Stuck; Stephan Hoch Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-10 Impact factor: 3.390