One Step Forward with Dry Surface Biofilm (DSB) of : TMT-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Proteomic Shifts between DSB and Hydrated Biofilm.

The Gram-positive bacterium is responsible for serious acute and chronic infections worldwide and is well-known for its biofilm formation ability. Recent findings of biofilms on dry hospital surfaces emphasise the failures in current cleaning practices and disinfection and the difficulty in removing these dry surface biofilms (DSBs). Many aspects of the formation of complex DSB biology on environmental surfaces in healthcare settings remains limited.

Proteome of Biofilm Changes Significantly with Aging.

is a notorious biofilm-producing pathogen that is frequently isolated from implantable medical device infections. As biofilm ages, it becomes more tolerant to antimicrobial treatment leading to treatment failure and necessitating the costly removal of infected devices. In this study, we performed in-solution digestion followed by TMT-based high-throughput mass spectrometry and investigated what changes occur in the proteome of biofilm grown for 3-days and 12-days in comparison with 24 h planktonic.

Evaluation of stainless steel surgical instruments subjected to multiple use/processing.

Background: To determine the effect of multiple use and processing cycles on instrument quality over the life of stainless steel, complex designed clinical surgical instruments.

Methods: Steam sterilised surgical instruments due to be discarded from Australian hospitals, because of loss of functionality, were assessed for contaminating protein and bacteria using the bicinchoninic acid protein assay and microbial culture, respectively. Biofilm presence and instrument damage were visually confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Reprocessing safety issues associated with complex-design orthopaedic loaned surgical instruments and implants.

Background: The acquisition of reusable surgical instruments (RSIs) through loaner system is a worldwide phenomenon, particularly in orthopaedic surgeries. Loaner sets contain high-complex design RSIs, which are very difficult to clean, and also include single use implants, such as screws, that remain in the surgical tray and are subjected to multiple reprocessing until they are implanted. Inadequate cleaning of SI and various exposures of single-use implants to physical, chemical and biological agents can compromise their quality/safety and promote biofilm formation.