MoWa: A Disinfectant for Hospital Surfaces Contaminated With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Other Nosocomial Pathogens

Abstract

IntroductionStaphylococcus aureus strains, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), are a main cause of nosocomial infection in the world. The majority of nosocomial S. aureus-infection are traced back to a source of contaminated surfaces including surgery tables. We assessed the efficacy of a mixture of levulinic acid (LA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), hereafter called MoWa, to eradicate nosocomial pathogens from contaminated surfaces.Methods and ResultsA dose response study demonstrated that MoWa killed 24 h planktonic cultures of S. aureus strains starting at a concentration of (LA) 8.2/(SDS) 0.3 mM while 24 h preformed biofilms were eradicated with 32/1.3 mM. A time course study further showed that attached MRSA bacteria were eradicated within 4 h of incubation with 65/2 mM MoWa. Staphylococci were killed as confirmed by bacterial counts, and fluorescence micrographs that were stained with the live/dead bacterial assay. We then simulated contamination of hospital surfaces by inoculating bacteria on a surface prone to contamination. Once dried, contaminated surfaces were sprayed with MoWa or mock-treated, and treated contaminated surfaces were swabbed and bacteria counted. While bacteria in the mock-treated samples grew at a density of ~104 cfu/cm2, those treated for ~1 min with MoWa (1.0/0.04 M) had been eradicated below limit of detection. A similar eradication efficacy was obtained when surfaces were contaminated with other nosocomial pathogens, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, or Staphylococcus epidermidis.ConclusionsMoWa kills planktonic and biofilms made by MRSA and MSSA strains and showed great efficacy to disinfect MRSA-, and MSSA-contaminated, surfaces and surfaces contaminated with other important nosocomial pathogens.

Efficacy of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Combined with Silver Ions against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Clinical Isolates

“…The MRSA strains included in this study showed resistance profiles similar to those of clinical isolates circulating in hospital settings in Colombia [ 30 , 31 ]. S. aureus , including MRSA strains, has been reported to be one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections worldwide, especially among patients in surgery, undergoing hemodialysis, and in ICU units, because of the long-term use of venous and urinary catheters [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. The surfaces of some items in these units, such as beds, operating tables, infusion pumps, and electrocardiography devices, among others, have been found to be contaminated with MRSA strains, which could lead to cross-contamination via the hands of healthcare personnel [ 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”

Dissemination of Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii Isolate to Hospital Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Here, special attention should be given to the resistance of A. baumannii biofilms to commercial disinfectants [ 16 ]. The need for the identification of novel disinfectant compounds to treat resistant pathogens, such as A. baumannii , has been recognized and emphasized [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Can photocatalysis help in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic?

“…Although septic poisoning occurs mostly after serious operation, among immunocompromised patients and elderly convalescents particularly with chronic health conditions, the main reason of infections is insufficient disinfection. Apart from the above-mentioned germs causing COVID-19 co-infections, one must notice the nosocomial pathogens from high-touch environmental surfaces (door handles, bed rails, and protective barriers) and medical devices (thermometers, stethoscopes) such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus , Clostridium difficile , vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and Acinetobacter species [ 43 , 44 ]. Moreover, some products used by patients, such as mobile phones, are significantly more contaminated than other items, and thus generally considered as microbiologically polluted [ 45 ].…”