| Title: |
Evaluation of Biocontrol Measures to Reduce Bacterial Load and Healthcare-Associated Infections |
| Authors: |
Vareschi, Anna; Gaglio, Salvatore Calogero; Dervishi, Kevin; Minoia, Arianna; Zanella, Giorgia; Lucchi, Lorenzo; Serena, Elena; Jimenez-Lopez, Concepcion; Piritore, Francesca Cristiana; Meneghel, Mirko; Zipeto, Donato; Gaboreanu, Diana Madalina; Barbu, Ilda Czobor; Chifiriuc, Mariana Carmen; Piubello Orsini, Luca; Landi, Stefano; Leardini, Chiara; Perduca, Massimiliano; Dalle Carbonare, Luca; Valenti, Maria Teresa |
| Contributors: |
Vareschi, Anna; Gaglio, Salvatore Calogero; Dervishi, Kevin; Minoia, Arianna; Zanella, Giorgia; Lucchi, Lorenzo; Serena, Elena; Jimenez-Lopez, Concepcion; Piritore, Francesca Cristiana; Meneghel, Mirko; Zipeto, Donato; Gaboreanu, Diana Madalina; Barbu, Ilda Czobor; Chifiriuc, Mariana Carmen; Piubello Orsini, Luca; Landi, Stefano; Leardini, Chiara; Perduca, Massimiliano; Dalle Carbonare, Luca; Valenti, Maria Teresa |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Università degli Studi di Verona: Catalogo dei Prodotti della Ricerca (IRIS) |
| Subject Terms: |
hospital-acquired infections (HAIs); thermal disinfection; methyl ester sulfonates; antibacterial nanoparticles; wheelchaircover |
| Description: |
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a major clinical and economic burden, with pathogens such as Escherichia coli contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Traditional manual disinfection methods are often insufficient, particularly in high-risk hospital environments. In this study, we investigated innovative strategies to enhance surface decontamination and reduce infection risk. First, we assessed the efficacy of the SMEG BPW1260 bedpan washer-disinfector, a thermal disinfection system for human waste containers. Our results demonstrated a reduction in Clostridium difficile and Escherichia coli contamination by >99.9% (>3 log reduction), as measured by colony-forming units (CFU) before and after treatment. Molecular techniques, including spectrophotometry, cell counting, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for DNA quantification, confirmed reduction in bacterial contamination. Specifically, Clostridium difficile showed a reduction of approximately 89% in both optical density (OD) and cell count (cells/mL). In the case of Escherichia coli, a reduction of around 82% in OD was observed, with an even more pronounced decrease in cell count, reaching approximately 99.3%. For both bacteria, DNA quantification by qPCR was below detectable limits. Furthermore, we optimized the energy efficiency of the disinfection cycle, achieving a 45% reduction in power consumption compared to standard protocols without compromising antimicrobial efficacy. Secondly, we developed a sustainable cleaning solution based on methyl ester sulfonate surfactants derived from waste cooking oil. The detergent’s antibacterial activity was tested on contaminated surfaces and further enhanced through the incorporation of nanoassemblies composed of silver, electrostatically bound either to biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles or to conventional magnetic nanoparticles. Washing with the detergent alone effectively eliminated detectable contamination, while the addition of nanoparticles inhibited bacterial regrowth. Antimicrobial ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
ELETTRONICO |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/40871427; info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/wos/WOS:001559812900001; volume:13; issue:8; firstpage:1; lastpage:24; numberofpages:24; journal:MICROORGANISMS; https://hdl.handle.net/11562/1168630 |
| DOI: |
10.3390/microorganisms13081923 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/11562/1168630; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081923; https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/8/1923 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; license:Creative commons ; license uri:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.9A3F731B |
| Database: |
BASE |