Acanthamoeba castellanii interferes with adequate chlorine disinfection of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Issue 3 (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarink, M.J.; Pirzadian, J.; van Cappellen, W.A.; Tielens, A.G.M.; Verbon, A.; Severin, J.A.; van Hellemond, J.J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 106:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 490
• Page End: 494
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Acanthamoeba -- Pseudomonas aeruginosa -- Disinfection -- Chlorine -- Infection control -- Water supply; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.09.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Verona-Integron-encoded-Metallo-β-lactamase-positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM-PA) is a cause of hard-to-treat nosocomial infections, and can colonize hospital water networks alongside Acanthamoeba . We developed an in-vitro disinfection model to examine whether Acanthamoeba castellanii can harbour VIM-PA intracellularly, allowing VIM-PA to evade being killed by currently used hospital disinfectants. We observed that A. castellanii presence resulted in significantly increased survival of VIM-PA after exposure to chlorine for 30 s or for 2 min. This undesirable effect was not observed after disinfection by 70% alcohol or 24% acetic acid. Confocal microscopy confirmed the presence of VIM-PA within A. castellanii pseudocysts. Our data indicate that A. castellanii contributes to persistent VIM-PA colonization of water systems after chlorine treatment.