Decontamination efficacy against Mycoplasma

Abstract

Aims: Mycoplasma is minute bacteria that can be found ubiquitously in the environment and also in human, animal and plant tissues. In addition to their public health importance as aetiological agents of infections and possible association with certain cancers, mycoplasma is a major contamination concern in biotechnology. These bacterial cells are very small, can form biofilms and survive for extended periods of time when dried onto surfaces. Despite these concerns, there is little information concerning their resistance to currently used disinfection methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate commonly used biocidal treatments against three representative mycoplasma species. Methods and Results: Mycoplasma was dried onto stainless steel coupons and exposed to decontamination products. All strains survived drying and any significant viability loss because of the test method (including neutralization), as demonstrated by a ≤0·5 log10 for each tested species. The quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) tested presented poor efficacy, whereas 70% ethanol was fully efficient with complete inactivation after 5‐min exposure. Alkaline cleaner formulations presented increasing efficacy when tested at 0·2, 0·4 and 0·8% concentrations, with complete kill observed at 0·8% of two products tested. Decontamination with vaporized (gaseous) hydrogen peroxide (VHP) was very efficient at concentrations used for room and small enclosures decontamination (180–1200 ppm with various time exposures), as well as for device sterilization applications. Conclusions: Ethanol and alkaline detergent formulations were particularly efficient against mycoplasma, but a QAC formulation was not. VHP in room disinfection and device sterilization applications was effective against all mycoplasma species tested. Significance and Impact of the Study: Mycoplasma can provide resistance to environmental factors (such as drying) and disinfectants. Further studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of other disinfectants and the mechanisms of mycoplasma resistance.

A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide as a Non-Contact Decontamination System for Pathogens Associated with the Dental Environment

“…One study presented with an unclear risk for incomplete data representation or outlier results being present [ 12 ]. Confounding variables for selection bias was of unknown risk for eight of the articles [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Incomplete data presentation leading to attrition bias or at least the risk of misinterpretation of the log loss of viruses were not determined due to the various steps of virus remuneration after VHP exposure [ 12 , 14 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Certain studies recognized the loss of the pathogens during the methodology and reported on the log reduction determined in the studies for viruses [ 16 , 24 , 25 ] and bacteria [ 13 , 26 ]. The loss of pathogens has been specifically noted with viruses [ 25 ] but has also occurred with bacteria [ 13 ] on dry surfaces indicated at each step of the methodology with reconstitution and neutralization. The assessment of the lost pathogens provides transparency to the research.…”

The rationale of ethanol inhalation for disinfection of the respiratory tract in SARS-CoV-2-positive asymptomatic subjects

“…Interestingly, it should be noted that Mycoplasma and SARS-CoV-2 (Eterpi et al .) [ 27 ] and SARS-CoV-2 are completely inactivated by ethanol. Moreover, certain strains of Clostridia are known to produce endogenous ethanol and this potential has been exploited industrially in ABE fermentation (acronym) to produce acetone, butanol and ethanol [ 28 ].…”

Detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae in Ticks (Rhipicephalus bursa) Collected by Sheep and Goats in Sicily (South-Italy), Endemic Area for Contagious Agalactia

“…Once morphologically identified, ticks were stored at −20 • C until further examination. Each tick was bathed in 70% ethanol for 5 min [31] and divided lengthwise into two parts in sterile Petri dishes under the stereomicroscope, using sterile forceps and scalpels: One half was screened by cultural and molecular methods, with the remaining half kept in alcohol, pending further investigation. Ticks belonging to the same species and stage, and derived from the same animal, were analyzed in pools.…”