Hygiene: microbial strategies to reduce pathogens and drug resistance in clinical settings. Issue 5 (5th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caselli, Elisabetta
• Is Part Of: Microbial biotechnology. Volume 10:Issue 5(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1079
• Page End: 1083
• Publication Date: 2017-07-05
• Subjects: Microbial biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology; Microbiology; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-7915

Abstract

Summary: Healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs) are a global concern, affecting all western hospitals, and profoundly impairing the clinical outcome of up to 15% of all hospitalized patients. Persistent microbial contamination of hospital surfaces has been suggested to contribute to HAIs onset, representing a reservoir for hospital pathogens. On the other hand, conventional chemicals‐based sanitation do not prevent recontamination and can select drug‐resistant strains, resulting in over 50% of surfaces persistently contaminated. There is therefore an urgent need for alternative sustainable and effective ways to control pathogens contamination and transmission. Toward this goal, we recently reported that a probiotic‐based sanitation can stably decrease surface pathogens up to 90% more than conventional disinfectants, without selecting resistant species. This paper summarizes some of our most significant results. Abstract : Ensuring a healthy environment during hospitalization is a crucial goal, since hospital acquired infections are a global concern. Chemical disinfectants show limitations in controlling pathogens contamination on hospital surfaces, and can select resistant strains. Innovative microbial‐based cleaning was shown more efficient in decreasing pathogens presence and their drug resistance, and might thus represent a valid and sustainable choice.