Dual species dry surface biofilms; Bacillus species impact on Staphylococcus aureus survival and surface disinfection

Abstract

Aims: Dry surface biofilms (DSB) survive on environmental surfaces throughout hospitals, able to resist cleaning and disinfection interventions. This study aimed to produce a dual species DSB and explore the ability of commercially available wipe products to eliminate pathogens within a dual species DSB and prevent their transfer. Methods and Results:Staphylococcus aureus was grown with two different species of Bacillus on stainless steel discs, over 12 days using sequential hydration and dehydration phases. A modified version of ASTM 2967-15 was used to test six wipe products including one water control with the Fitaflex Wiperator. Staphylococcus aureus growth was inhibited when combined with Bacillus subtilis. Recovery of S. aureus on agar from a dual DSB was not always consistent. Our results did not provide evidence that Bacillus licheniformis protected S. aureus from wipe action. There was no significant difference of S. aureus elimination by antimicrobial wipes between single and dual species DSB. B. licheniformis was easily transferred by the wipe itself and to new surfaces both in a single and dual species DSB, whilst several wipe products inhibited the transfer of S. aureus from wipe. However, S. aureus direct transfer to new surfaces was not inhibited post-wiping. Conclusions:Although we observed that the dual DSB did not confer protection of S. aureus, we demonstrated that environmental species can persist on surfaces after disinfection treatment. Industries should test DSB against future products and hospitals should consider carefully the products they choose. Significance and Impact of the Study:To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting on the production of a dual species DSB. Multispecies DSB have been identified throughout the world on hospital surfaces, but many studies focus on single species biofilms. This study has shown that DSB behave differently to hydrated biofilms.

Susceptibility of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium dry surface biofilms to disinfection

“…Viable bacteria recovered from unwiped coupons pretreated with formulations A, D, E, and F were not significantly different to water treated coupons. This data corroborates results from other studies on different bacteria where mechanical removal was shown to be essential to appropriately reduce DSB on surfaces (Centeleghe et al, 2022; Ledwoch, Magoga, et al, 2021). Our findings support evidence that a “clean” food surface should be generated by the combined approach of mechanical removal and effective biocide use (Gibson et al, 1999).…”

Epinephrine Affects Ribosomes, Cell Division, and Catabolic Processes in Micrococcus luteus Skin Strain C01: Revelation of the Conditionally Extensive Hormone Effect Using Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry and Proteomic Analysis

“…On the one hand, in vitro and in vivo models based on monospecies cultures and biofilms have been established for decades and provide an abundance of important data. On the other hand, there are several lines of evidence of interference due to (a) different active compounds being administered simultaneously [ 33 , 34 ]; (b) the effects of microbes on each other [ 19 , 35 , 36 ]; (c) modulation of an active compound effect on the first microbe in the presence of a second microbe in a dual-species community [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Hence, the presence of a counterpart in the simplest dual community may significantly change the effect of a hormone or any other active compound on a microbe.…”

Dry surface biofilms in the food processing industry: An overview on surface characteristics, adhesion and biofilm formation, detection of biofilms, and dry sanitization methods

“…DSB in the food industry represents an emerging and promising research field. Few studies have observed biofilm formation on dry surfaces in the food industry (Harada & Nascimento, 2021a, 2021b; Iibuchi et al., 2010), as well as evaluated the responses to sanitation in the hydration and desiccation cycles, as has been done for healthcare surfaces (Centeleghe et al., 2022; Ledwoch & Maillard, 2019).…”