Introduction: One of the serious consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the shortage of protective equipment for health personnel. N95 masks are considered one of the essential protective equipment in the management of patients with COVID-19. The shortage of N95 masks implies potential health risks for health personnel and significant economic losses for the health institution. The objective of this work was to investigate the disinfection of N95 masks artificially contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE bacteria by using hydrogen peroxide plasma. Material and methods: We examined the disinfection capacity of hydrogen peroxide plasma against the SARS-CoV-2 and 2 members of the ESKAPE bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus) through a study of artificial contamination in situ of N95 masks. Amplification of specific genes by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of SARS-CoV-2 and microbiological culture of ESKAPE bacteria was performed before and after the disinfection process. Results: SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in all assays using 5 different concentrations of the virus, and A baumannii and S aureus were not cultivable with inoculums of 10 2 to 10 6 CFU after disinfection tests of N95 masks with hydrogen peroxide plasma. Conclusion: Disinfection of N95 masks by using the hydrogen peroxide plasma technology can be an alternative for their reuse in a shortage situation. Implications for the use of disinfection technologies of N95 masks and the safety of health personnel are discussed.

Introduction: SARS-CoV2 pandemic marks the need to pay attention to bacterial pathogens that can complicate the hospital stay of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). ESKAPE bacteria which includes Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae are considered the most important, because of their close relationship with the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The aim of this work was to identify and characterize ESKAPE bacteria and to detect their possible clonal spread in medical devices, patients, and medical personnel of the ICU for COVID-19 patients of the Hospital Juarez de Mexico. Methodology: Genetic identification of ESKAPE bacteria was performed by analyzing the 16S rRNA gene. Resistance assays were performed according to the CLSI guidelines. Assembly of AdeABCRS operon and inhibition assays of pumps efflux in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were performed. Associated gene involved in biofilm formation (icaA) was performed in isolates belonging to the Staphylococcus genus. Finally, typing by ERIC-PCR and characterization of mobile genetic element SCCmec were done. Results: Heterogeneous distribution of ESKAPE and non-ESKAPE bacteria was detected in various medical devices, patients, and medical personnel. Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant ESKAPE members. The analysis of intergenic regions revealed an important clonal distribution of A. baumannii (AdeABCRS+). Genotyping of SCCmec mobile genetic elements and the icaA gene showed that there is no clonal distribution of S. aureus. Conclusions: Clonal spread of A. baumannii (AdeABCRS+) highlights the importance of adopting good practices for equipment disinfection, surfaces and management of COVID-19 patients.

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Introduction: Infections acquired in hospitals are the cause of high morbidity and mortality and with the emergence of resistant bacteria, the problem is greater. The aim of this work was to determine the genetic characteristics and timeline of Klebsiella pneumoniae blaNDM-1 carrying a class 1 integron involved in an intrahospital outbreak. Methodology: Investigation was made from the first detection of K. pneumoniae blaNDM-1, strain “466”, and the last clone “423”. 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that 466 strain and clones were related to K. pneumoniae. Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) was detected according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and real time-PCR. Typing of K. pneumoniae blaNDM-1 strains was carried by ERIC-PCR and sequencing the variable region of the integrons were performed. Results: A cluster of six resistant isolates of K. pneumoniae blaNDM-1 was detected in intensive care unit (ICU), internal medicine (IM) and orthopedics (OT). Timeline revealed that the first bacterial identification was in ICU and the last clone in OT service. The array genetic of variable region was “IntI/aadA5-drfA17/qacEΔ1-Sul1”. Conclusions: The evidences highlight the importance of the epidemiological surveillance of Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) strains, as well as the need for molecular epidemiological studies to identify the routes of transmission and the contamination sources within health personnel.

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