Review
Microbiology
Michael P. Ryan, Ludmila Sevjahova, Rachel Gorman, Sandra White
Summary: Comamonas spp. are non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli that are commonly found in soil, water sources, and animal intestines. While they are primarily associated with environmental bioremediation, they can cause infections in humans. Treatment of infections associated with Comamonas species is generally not difficult, but antibiotic resistance is a concern. Therefore, it is important to include these pathogens in hospital screening programs.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Geoffroy Hariri, Mathieu Genoud, Vincent Bruckert, Samuel Chosidow, Emmanuel Guerot, Antoine Kimmoun, Nicolas Nesseler, Emmanuel Besnier, Fabrice Daviaud, David Lagier, Julien Imbault, David Grimaldi, Adrien Bougle, Nicolas Mongardon
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, characteristics, and outcomes of fungal mediastinitis after cardiac surgery. Among 73,688 cardiac surgery procedures, 40 patients developed fungal mediastinitis. Candida spp. was the most common fungal strain. Survivors were younger, had lower body mass index, and lower severity scores.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Sucheng Mu, Hao Xiang, Yuezhu Wang, Wei Wei, Xiangyu Long, Yi Han, Zhongshu Kuang, Yilin Yang, Feixiang Xu, Mingming Xue, Zhimin Dong, Chaoyang Tong, Huajun Zheng, Zhenju Song
Summary: This study found that the gut microbiota of septic patients significantly decreased after ICU admission, potentially leading to the enrichment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and causing secondary infections. Animal model experiments validated that antibiotic treatment led to the enrichment of CRKP and VRE among the intestinal microbiota, increasing the likelihood of tissue permeation and subsequent systemic infection in pseudo germ-free mice.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Milena Trifunovic-Koenig, Stefan Bushuven, Bianka Gerber, Baerbel Otto, Markus Dettenkofer, Florian Salm, Martin R. Fischer
Summary: Training in hand hygiene for healthcare workers is crucial for reducing hospital-acquired infections. Previous studies have found overconfidence effects in self-assessments of hand hygiene competencies. Overconfidence can either lead to lack of motivation for training or higher motivation to attend training. These findings highlight the importance of further research on training motivation in hand hygiene for healthcare providers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anna Tranberg, Bengt Klarin, Julia Johansson, Lisa Pahlman
Summary: In this study, Lp299 and Lp299v were found to inhibit the growth of nosocomial respiratory tract pathogens in vitro, but did not affect the oropharyngeal microbiota in vivo when administered prophylactically to hospitalized patients. Risk factors for disturbed oropharyngeal microbiota development were identified as proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics, and steroid treatment.
Article
Microbiology
Angela Sloan, Samantha B. Kasloff, Todd Cutts
Summary: High-touch environmental surfaces are potential sources of pathogen transmission. This study examines the efficacy of four disinfectants (ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, and potassium monopersulfate) against SARS-CoV-2. The results suggest that ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, and potassium monopersulfate are highly effective biocidal agents, while chlorine dioxide formulations are less efficacious. The study also evaluates the decontamination of carriers and the transferability of the virus from used disinfectant wipes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Aleksandra Marek, Eelco F. J. Meijer, Ermira Tartari, Johnny Zakhour, Anuradha Chowdhary, Andreas Voss, Souha S. Kanj, Abhijit M. Bal
Summary: The incidence of invasive fungal disease is increasing, especially in highly immunocompromized patients. Despite better understanding of risk factors and pathophysiology, nosocomial IFD remains common. Measures such as air filtration and environmental monitoring can reduce the burden of fungi in patient environment, but there is significant variation in laboratory methodologies and no agreed-upon thresholds for clinical risk. Future research is needed to ensure a safe environment for highly immunocompromized patients.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danni Pu, Jiankang Zhao, Kang Chang, Xianxia Zhuo, Bin Cao
Summary: Although traditionally susceptible to antibiotics, hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae is now emerging as carbapenem-resistant, highly transmissible, and multidrug-resistant, causing a major public health challenge. This review provides an overview of the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, virulence factors, clinical presentations, and outcomes associated with carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent K. pneumoniae infection, as well as discussing the evolutionary processes and prevalence in China.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nachiket Vaze, Philip Demokritou
Summary: Engineered water nanostructures (EWNS) were used to deliver naturally derived antimicrobials, showing potential for treating wound infections.
NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Anna Stachel, Lindsay T. Keegan, Seth Blumberg
Summary: Mathematical, statistical, and computational models offer insights into healthcare-associated infections transmission and control. Recent studies have focused on modeling the transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings, especially with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and the need for effective interventions. Efforts are being made to address inequities in COVID-19 outcomes and incorporate genomic data into modeling, while gaps still exist in producing generalizable models across different time periods, geographic locations, and populations.
CURRENT OPINION IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Meghan A. Baker, Chanu Rhee, Robert Tucker, Amy Badwaik, Cassie Coughlin, Meghan A. Holtzman, Candace Hsieh, Angela Maguire, Elizabeth Mermel Blaeser, Saranya Seetharaman, Ofelia Solem, Vineeta Vaidya, Michael Klompas
Summary: Despite universal masking, admission testing, and symptom screening, the highly contagious Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 increases the risk for hospital-acquired transmission. This study reports significant increases in hospital-onset infections and unit-based clusters. However, the implementation of universal N95 respirators and daily testing effectively controlled the clusters. The broader use of these strategies may prevent nosocomial transmissions.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Michelle A. Ozbun, Virginie Bondu, Nicole A. Patterson, Rosa T. Sterk, Alan G. Waxman, Erica C. Bennett, Rohini McKee, Ankur Sharma, Jeremy Yarwood, Marc Rogers, Gary Eichenbaum
Summary: The study showed that HPV is susceptible to high-level disinfectants, effectively eliminating different genotypes of HPV; using focus forming unit FFU for infectivity measurements; the experimental results have important clinical and public health implications.
Article
Immunology
Wei-Chih Liao, Wei-Sheng Chung, Ying-Chieh Lo, Wen-Hsin Shih, Chia-Hui Chou, Chih-Yu Chen, Mao -Wang Ho
Summary: This study evaluated the trend of pathogens causing nosocomial bloodstream infection (BSI), and investigated the distribution of these pathogens to determine the risk factors for mortality. The findings revealed that gram-negative organisms were the main cause of BSI, and comorbidities such as low body weight, liver cirrhosis, and malignancy were significantly associated with mortality.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ayan Aden Moussa, Abdkerem Abdulahi Abdi, Mohamed Abdullahi Awale, Bashiru Garba
Summary: This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance pattern of common bacterial contaminants isolated from hospitalized patients in Mogadishu, Somalia. Pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, showed varying levels of resistance to antibiotics. Comprehensive antimicrobial profiling of bacterial isolates is necessary for patient management in hospitals.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Christina M. Morrison, Samantha Hogard, Robert Pearce, Daniel Gerrity, Eric C. Wert, Urs von Gunten
Summary: This study analyzed ozone disinfection data for viruses, Giardia cysts, and C. parvum oocysts, and found that ozone's inactivation efficiency decreases in the order of viruses >> Giardia cysts > C. parvum oocysts. The USEPA Ct models accurately predicted inactivation of C. parvum oocysts and viruses, but overestimated inactivation of Giardia cysts. Common surrogate organisms showed different inactivation kinetics compared to mammalian viruses and C. parvum oocysts.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
M. E. Rubiano, J. -Y. Maillard, J. R. Rubino, M. K. Ijaz
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
R. Wesgate, C. Evangelista, R. Atkinson, A. Shepard, O. Adegoke, J. -Y. Maillard
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Rebecca Wesgate, Florence Menard-Szczebara, Ahmad Khodr, Sylvie Cupferman, Jean-Yves Maillard
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Laura Rushton, Ahmad Khodr, Florence Menard-Szczebara, Jean-Yves Maillard, Sylvie Cupferman, Eshwar Mahenthiralingam
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
R. Wesgate, S. Fanning, Y. Hu, J-Y Maillard
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Tristan Rossignol, Sadri Znaidi, Murielle Chauvel, Rebecca Wesgate, Laurence Decourty, Florence Menard-Szczebara, Sylvie Cupferman, Maria Dalko-Sciba, Rosemary Barnes, Jean-Yves Maillard, Cosmin Saveanu, Christophe d'Enfert
Summary: HEPB demonstrates strong antifungal activity against Candida species, inhibiting their growth by promoting amino acid biosynthesis and chemical detoxification/oxidative stress response pathways. The mode of action of HEPB is distinguishable from other commonly used preservatives such as triclosan and methylparaben.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
M. J. Pascoe, J. -Y. Maillard
Summary: Cationic biocides are widely used for surface disinfection, while photosensitizers like TBO are being investigated as novel biocides. Melanin in Aspergillus brasiliensis conidia confers resistance to biocides and photosensitizers. Benzalkonium chloride, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, and TBO were highly effective against Candida albicans, but A. brasiliensis conidia showed tolerance to TBO and BZC, with NaDCC being the most effective. Inhibition of melanin biosynthesis increased sensitivity to all three biocides.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Katarzyna Ledwoch, Maddalena Magoga, Dulcie Williams, Stefania Fabbri, James Walsh, Jean-Yves Maillard
Summary: This study investigated the impact of treatments on bacterial viability, transferability, and recovery in dry-surface biofilms for the first time. The results showed that while many disinfectants were effective in killing and removing bacteria from DSBs, only a few could reduce bacterial transmission and prevent DSB recovery. Treatments without mechanical action had poorer effectiveness on DSBs.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Isabella Centeleghe, Phillip Norville, Louise Hughes, Jean-Yves Maillard
Summary: This study aimed to produce a dual species dry surface biofilm (DSB) and evaluate the efficacy of commercially available wipe products in eliminating pathogens within a dual species DSB and preventing their transfer. The results showed that some wipe products were effective in eliminating pathogens, but were not effective in preventing the transfer of Staphylococcus aureus between surfaces. This study provides important insights into the behavior of dual species DSB and the suitability of wipe products for disinfection.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jean-Yves Maillard
Summary: This review examined the impact of benzalkonium chloride (BKC), benzethonium chloride (BZT), and chloroxylenol (CHO) on antimicrobial resistance. The majority of studies used MIC to measure BKC efficacy, but the definition of "resistance" varied. In vitro studies showed that BKC exposure led to increased resistance and changes in antibiotic susceptibility profile, but the clinical significance and the correlation between BKC usage and gene dissemination remain uncertain. Limited research on BZT and CHO makes it difficult to draw conclusions about their impact on emerging resistance.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jean-Yves Maillard, Phil Collier, Katherine Hammer
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Zahraa Amer Hashim, Jean-Yves Maillard, Melanie Jay Wilson, Rachel Jane Waddington
Summary: Microbial biofilms are dominant in endodontic therapy failure, with bacterial adhesion as the first step in biofilm establishment. This study extracted and characterized a biosurfactant (Lp-BS) from Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum, revealing its anti-adhesive properties against Streptococcus (Strep.) intermedius and Strep. anginosus.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Jean-Yves Maillard, Michael Pascoe
Summary: In this Review, the authors examine the mechanisms of action, resistance mechanisms, and implications of chemical biocides in various settings.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Jean-Yves Maillard, Guenter Kampf, Rose Cooper
Summary: This review discusses the challenges faced in wound care due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, the tolerance of biofilms to antibiotics, and reported resistance to non-antibiotic antimicrobials. It also highlights the lack of standardized methods for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial dressings, as well as the difficulties in surveillance and management. The review calls for a unified approach to developing standardized methods that will provide a better basis for practitioners to make informed choices in wound care.
JAC-ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Lauren Gwynne, George T. Williams, Kai-Cheng Yan, Bethany L. Patenall, Jordan E. Gardiner, Xiao-Peng He, Jean-Yves Maillard, Tony D. James, Adam. C. Sedgwick, A. Toby. A. Jenkins
Summary: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an important enzyme biomarker with potential in detecting pathogenic bacteria. Research has shown that ALP has colorimetric and fluorescent responses towards Staphylococcus aureus and demonstrates selectivity over other bacteria. Encapsulation of ALP in hydrogels can be used as smart wound dressings for monitoring and treating wound infections.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
